The 1920s

Top left, counter-clockwise: Percy Williams, 100 and 200 metre gold medals at the 1928 Olympic games; Vancouver Amazons Hockey team; Frank Clark-Jones, the Daily Province Bicycle race; Vancouver Rowing Club, coxless fours, silver medal, 1924 Olympic Games.

After hardships of World War I, there was a renewed interest in sports in British Columbia. In 1925, the Victoria Cougars hockey team captured British Columbia’s second Stanley Cup. Sprinter Percy Williams became a hero after his Olympic double gold wins in 1928.

Soccer and rugby continued to draw large crowds. Canadian football gained popularity on the west coast. Ski jumping was a favourite winter sport in towns like Revelstoke, Rossland, and Nelson.

During the 1920s, more women competed in a wider range of sports- from lawn bowling to ice hockey. The first World Women’s Games were held in 1922. Women’s track and field events were included for the first time at the 1928 Olympics.