Nesta Leduc, 91, was not only the oldest competitor for Team Yukon but she snagged a gold and three silver medals in swimming. Photo Courtesy of Team Yukon.
Whitehorse, YT – Team Yukon is bringing home 58 medals from the Canada 55+ Games in Quebec City with over half of the hardware earned by swimmers and track and field athletes.
Yukon swimmers captured 28 medals: 14 gold, nine silver and five bronze. Nesta Leduc, 91, was the oldest participant at the Games and secured one gold and three silver medals. Theresa Lindsay, competing in the 60-64 category, swept house in the 50-metre and 100-metre backstroke, 50-metre freestyle and the 100-metre medley events earning gold medals in each.
In track and field, the team brought home 22 medals. Marcella Abrams, competing in the over 75 category, excelled in the 3000-metre, 1500-metre and 800-metre events, earning silver, gold and silver respectively. Sheila Senger and Tom Parlee also snagged several medals in other track events.
In other sports, Luanne Kotelko and Eileen Close faced off in the quarterfinals of the 8-ball pool competition, with Luanne ultimately taking home the gold.
Dawson City’s Helen Dewell bowled a perfect 300 in the over 65 category of duckpin bowling and went on to win gold while Sharon Smith claimed silver in the over 75 category.
Yukon’s dart players had a successful run, with John Hadvick and Tim Mclachlan taking gold in the men’s doubles in the over 65 category. Mclachlan also took gold in the men’s singles, while Hadvick snagged bronze.
In pickleball, Chic Galla and Sue Lin earned a bronze in mixed doubles in the over 65 category after a tight match with another Yukon team.
Yukon’s curling, golf, hockey and slo-pitch teams didn’t make it to the podium.
The 2024 Canada 55+ Games ended on August 30th. The next games are set for 2026 in Manitoba.
