The Canada Games have always been a proving ground for the nation’s brightest young athletes, but the 2025 edition in St. John’s raised the bar. Against a backdrop of coastal beauty and community pride, athletes from every province and territory came together for fierce competition and unforgettable memories. Here are 13 unforgettable highlights from the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s:
Québec Wins Boys’ Soccer After Dramatic Penalty Shootout
In a thrilling soccer final at King George V Park, Québec edged Alberta in a tense boys’ U-17 championship, prevailing 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless 110 minutes. Goalkeeper Philippe Chartrand was the hero, making two key saves in the shootout, while four Québec players converted spot kicks with composure under pressure. Québec finished the tournament undefeated and lifted the gold medal, with midfielder Michael Adom Ampofo named MVP. The dramatic win crowned one of the season’s most exciting competitions and demonstrated the depth of emerging soccer talent across the country.
Gavin Baggs Wins Host Province’s First Gold in Wheelchair Race
Team Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated their first gold of the Games when hometown athlete Gavin Baggs triumphed in the men’s 1,500 m wheelchair race. Baggs, already a silver medallist in para-swimming earlier, pushed through harsh weather conditions to deliver a signature performance. Speaking after the race, he emphasized the importance of focus and determination amid 60 km/h winds. His win sparked pride across the province and underscored his versatile talent as a multisport para-athlete, embodying the Canada Games’ spirit of resilience and homegrown excellence.
Veronica MacLellan Makes PEI History in Para-Swimming
At just 14, Veronica MacLellan put Prince Edward Island back on the Canada Games swimming medal map by winning bronze in the 400 m para freestyle. Clocking a personal-best 5:21.21, her podium finish marked PEI’s third-ever swimming medal and the first at these Games. MacLellan’s emotional response reflected both her individual pride and the weight of provincial legacy, with her surname already connected to earlier PEI champions. As an inspiring young competitor, she showed that smaller provinces can shine brightly on the national stage.
Team Saskatchewan Sets Medal Record in a Single Day
Team Saskatchewan delivered a jaw-dropping performance on one memorable Saturday, winning a staggering total of 21 medals in a single day, with six gold, seven silver, and eight bronze. The winners spanned athletics and wrestling; highlights included gold from Brendan Côté-Williamson in para-ambulatory 400 m, Shelaine Pritchard in heptathlon, and Megan Summers in women’s under-56 kg wrestling. The day vaulted Saskatchewan up the medal standings and highlighted the province’s versatility and depth in multiple sports.
Leo Zheng Sets Record in Para-Swimming
On Day 1 in the pool, Team Sask diver Leo Zheng grabbed bronze in canoe kayak C-1 1,000 m, then turned heads with gold in the men’s 100 m para backstroke, setting a new Canada Games record of 1:27.32. The dual performance marked a triumphant start for Saskatchewan and showcased the rising standards in para-swimming. Zheng’s success underlined the importance of inclusivity and excellence, and energized his team in the early days of competition.
Cycling Criterium Brings Tour de France Vibes to St. John’s
Downtown St. John’s transformed into a cycling spectacle when the Canada Games hosted criterium races for men and women along Harbour Drive, Water Street, and George Street. The scenic circuit felt like a slice of the Tour de France right in Canada, drawing intrigued spectators and energizing the city’s cultural core. It was a memorable fusion of elite sport and local atmosphere, bringing cycling and community together in a uniquely Newfoundland celebration.
Artistic Swimming Gold and Silver
In artistic swimming, Saskatchewan continued to glow with podium performances. Joley Friesen and Sienna Kuchuran claimed silver in the women’s duet (470.4715 points), giving voice to their emotional journey. Meanwhile, Québec’s Lily Bernier and Andrea Escobar took gold with a commanding 498.513 score, over 28 points ahead of second place. These performances combined artistry and athleticism, drawing national applause and reflecting the Games’ celebration of sport’s graceful side.
Alyssa Smyth Dominates Multiple Para Swimming Events
After three nights of competition, Ontario’s para-swimming phenom Alyssa Smyth dazzled audiences with her consistency, earning gold in both the 100 m backstroke and 100 m butterfly, along with earlier wins in the 400 m and 100 m freestyle. Her string of medals highlighted her versatility and resilience, helping to fuel Team Ontario’s surge in medals in the pool. Smyth’s performances exemplified how para-athletes continue to inspire with elite-level competitiveness and grace.
Ontario and Québec Finish Tied at the Gold Medal Standings
The 2025 Canada Games concluded with an unprecedented result in the overall medal table, with Ontario and Québec each securing 63 gold medals. The two provinces dominated across a wide range of sports, from athletics and swimming to basketball and wrestling, showcasing their deep pools of talent and strong development systems. The shared finish at the top underscored the intensity of interprovincial rivalry while highlighting balance in Canadian amateur sport. For fans, the tie was symbolic of Canada’s sporting future being shaped by multiple powerhouses, each pushing the other to reach higher levels of performance on the national stage.
Claude-Olivier Lise-Coderre Completes Diving Gold Sweep
Setting the tone for Week Two, Claude-Olivier Lise-Coderre capped off a perfect diving run by winning gold in the men’s platform event, completing a sweep of diving medals for his region. At the same time, host favourite Gavin Baggs added a fourth medal, silver in the 400 m wheelchair, to an already spectacular Canada Games campaign. Wrestling medals across multiple para-sports and spanning disciplines, their performances symbolized excellence, homegrown pride, and multisport mastery.
Maude Ruelland Claims Mountain Bike Gold for Québec
Queensland’s Maude Ruelland shifted gears but not ambition, riding to gold in the mountain bike cross-country final. Her win underlined Québec’s commanding presence in cycling and marked Ruelland as an athlete with sights set on global championships and Olympic ambition. Her performance on rugged terrain captured both commitment and potential, reminding fans that the Canada Games are a stepping stone to much greater stages.
Alberta Upsets Ontario for Women’s Basketball Gold
One of the most dramatic finals of the 2025 Canada Games unfolded on the basketball court, where Alberta shocked powerhouse Ontario to capture gold. After falling behind early, Alberta clawed back with relentless defense and a standout fourth quarter led by their dynamic backcourt. Demonstrating decisive determination, the team gave it their all and sealed a hard-fought 62-54 victory. The upset marked Alberta’s first women’s basketball gold in Games history and sparked jubilant celebrations from players and fans alike. It was a defining moment of the tournament, proving that underdogs could rise on Canada’s biggest amateur stage.
Lila Stewart Dominates Diving with Gold and Bronze
Regina’s Lila Stewart captured attention with a standout diving performance across multiple events. She opened Week Two with a gold medal in the women’s artistic diving, one-meter springboard, quickly adding a bronze in the three-meter event, and then regained gold in the springboard final with an impressive score of 263.35 points. Stewart’s versatility and composure, evident across formats and heights, made her a cornerstone of Saskatchewan’s aquatic success this year. Her consistency under pressure painted a portrait of a true champion, elevating Canada Games diving and offering a glimpse of international promise on the platform.
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