35 B.C. athletes make Canadian Olympic team

Thirty-five B.C. athletes have been named to the Canadian team at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

"On behalf of all British Columbians, congratulations to all of these elite athletes for being part of Canada's Olympic team," B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said at a ceremony in Richmond Friday.

"Drawn from communities across our province, you represent the strength of spirit and determination of all the people of B.C."

More than 5,500 athletes from 80 countries will compete at the Games from Feb. 12 to Feb. 28. There are 86 disciplines in total in 15 different sports. The Canadian Olympic Team features 206 athletes including 32 returning Olympic medallists from Torino 2006 and six world champions from 2009.

The B.C team members are:

Alpine Skiing

• Emily Brydon (Downhill, Super-G) Fernie - hometown/residence.
• Robbie Dixon (Downhill, Super-G) North Vancouver - hometown, Whistler - residence
• Britt Janyk (Downhill, Super-G) North Vancouver - hometown, Whistler - residence.
• Mike Janyk (Giant Slalom, Slalom) North Vancouver - hometown, Whistler - residence.
• Manuel Osborne-Paradis (Downhill, Super-G) North Vancouver - hometown, Invermere - residence.
• Georgia Simmerling, (Downhill, Super-G) West Vancouver -hometown/residence.

Biathlon

• Megan Tandy, Prince George - hometown, Squamish - residence.

Bobsleigh

• Justin Kripps, Summerland - hometown.
• Chris Le Bihan, Kelowna - hometown.

Cross-Country Skiing

• George Grey, Rossland - hometown.

Figure Skating

• Cody Hay, Dawson Creek - hometown.

Freestyle Skiing

• Ashleigh McIvor (Skicross) Vancouver - place of birth, Whistler - hometown/residence.
• Julia Murray (Skicross) Vancouver - place of birth, Whistler - hometown/residence.
• Kelsey Serwa (Skicross) Kelowna - hometown/residence.
• David Duncan (Skicross), Golden - residence.
• Danielle Poleschuk (Skicross), Fernie/Winnipeg.
• Stan Hayer (Skicross), Kimberley - hometown.
• Steve Omischl (Aerials) Kelowna - hometown/residence.
• Kristi Richards (Moguls) Penticton - hometown, Summerland - residence.

Hockey

• Duncan Keith, Penticton - hometown.
• Scott Niedermayer, Cranbrook - hometown.
• Brent Seabrook, Tsawwassen - hometown.
• Shea Weber, Sicamous - hometown.
• Roberto Luongo, Vancouver - residence.

Luge

• Jeff Christie, Vancouver - place of birth.

Skeleton

• Amy Gough, Abbotsford - hometown.
• Michelle Kelly, Fort St. John - hometown.

Snowboarding

• Robert Fagan (Snowboard Cross), Cranbrook - hometown, Squamish - residence.
• Justin Lamoureux (Halfpipe), Squamish - residence.
• Drew Neilson (Snowboard Cross), Vernon - hometown, North Vancouver - residence.
• Mike Robertson (Snowboard Cross), Squamish - residence.
• Alexa Loo (Parallel Giant Slalom), Richmond - hometown/residence.
• Mercedes Nicoll (Halfpipe), North Vancouver - hometown, Whistler - residence.
• Maelle Ricker (Snowboard Cross), North Vancouver - hometown, Vancouver/Whistler - where she grew up; Squamish - residence.

Speed Skating - Long Track

• Denny Morrison, Fort St. John - hometown.