Wildfires cast a smoke cloud over Canada Summer Games for some N.W.T. athletes

CBC

2 days ago

Team NT beach volleyball player, Emily Carroll, says she realized the impact of the wildfires near St. John's, N.L., on Monday when she was watching her friends on the men's beach volleyball team play.
"In the background there was just like this big billowing of smoke," she said. "I think that's when we all kind of became aware of the situation and what's going on."
That evening, Carroll got the news she wouldn't be playing the next day.
Numerous events at the 2025 Canada Summer Games have been affected by nearby wildfires.
Beach volleyball matches were postponed on Tuesday and for part of the day on Wednesday after an evacuation alert was issued for Paradise, N.L., due to the fast-moving Paddy's Pond fire. Beach volleyball had been taking place in the town, which is about 15 minutes from St. John's.
Beach volleyball resumed Wednesday evening, but with restrictions. Only athletes, team staff and volunteers are allowed at the venue, while spectators are being asked not to attend.
Smoke has also started descending on St. John's, raising risk levels for athletes competing in outdoor events, like athletics, set to start next week.
The athletes from Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik who will represent the N.W.T. in track and field have been in Yellowknife this week to attend a training camp before they leave for the games.
Their assistant coach, Kenzie MacDonald says the wildfire smoke could interfere with next week's events.
"Unfortunately there are no indoor surfaces nearby where we could run any of these events," he said.
There is a make-up day included in the athletics schedule. MacDonald expects if the smoke gets bad enough to be a health risk, events will get postponed and shuffled around to protect the athletes.
"We'll just take it as it comes," he said. "Hope for rain, as well."
As for beach volleyball, Carroll said she expects officials will monitor the air quality index and make decisions accordingly.
"I don't think they're going to let us play if it's above a certain level," she said.
Christopher Mathison, who is on the men's volleyball team, said the postponed games allowed him to watch Team NT play in other sports.
He was able to catch his younger brother playing on the men's basketball team, and was even there for their historic victory earlier this week.
"There's still a lot of excitement because we are still here. We're at the games, so that part's all solid," he said. "Just excited to be back on the court."
Team NT beach volleyball players will be back in action Thursday. Mathison said he expects a condensed schedule with two games per day to make up for lost time.
Carroll and Mathison both say they'll be returning to the action with the same mindset they came into the games with.
"We're just gonna fight for every point," Mathison said.