For many athletes, the Canada Winter Games are a stepping stone to the Olympics. That tells Tim Hempsall he's on the right path.
Hempsall, an 18-year-old short track speed skater from Prince George, is part of Team B.C. for the Games, which start Friday in Halifax. The multi-sport event will have the look and feel of the Olympics, and that's where Hempsall wants to be in 2014 when Sochi, Russia, serves as host.
For now, however, Hempsall is totally focused on the Halifax gathering. He'll be a first-timer at the Canada Winter Games and couldn't be more excited.
"I think it should be an absolutely amazing experience, like nothing I've ever done before," said Hempsall, who has competed provincially, nationally and even internationally during his 12-year skating career.
"It's going to be so awesome. I've been reading my B.C. handbook and you stay in the village with all the athletes and then there are the gaming rooms and interacting with so many different people. And being in front of the whole country should be awesome."
Hempsall will take part in Friday's opening ceremonies and will then have a day to get prepared for the start of competition. He'll be on his blades for 500-metre, 1,000m, 1,500m and 3,000m races.
On Monday, see The Citizen and pgcitizen.ca for more.
