NWT track and field coach John McCart knows which photo is his favourite of the 2025 Canada Games.
It shows Solenn Kikoak, from Fort Smith, leading a pack of athletes from Saskatchewan, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and beyond on the opening lap of her women’s 1500m heat in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Kikoak couldn’t stay at the front forever, but that photo from lap one doesn’t just show her temporarily in the lead – it shows her absolutely beaming.
“The smile on Solenn’s face is something you can’t buy,” said McCart at the Games’ closing ceremony on Sunday.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“She just looks happy, and that’s the reason I come here.”
That photo leads our selection of 20 images that tell stories from Team NT’s past two weeks at the 2025 Canada Games. Here are the other 19.
All photos on this page: Ollie Williams/Team NT
Swimmer Tony Shi led out Team NT at the opening ceremony on August 9. Most of week one took place in sweltering conditions, particularly poolside, where the humidity was a factor. Week two, by contrast, was noticeably cooler.
The NWT narrowly defeated a province, PEI, in what officials believe is a first for the territory in male basketball at Canada Games level. Chimzigam Korie celebrated the win in the seconds after the buzzer.
Logan Doll and Orlee Duru registered victories against hosts Newfoundland and Labrador in tennis, Doll defeating his opponent 6-2 6-2 as part of a broader mixed team contest.
Female basketball had its moments of joy to match those on the male side, including elation at this stunning three-point shot.
Week one’s heat led to some inventive measures courtside.
Every team hopes to gain unstoppable momentum at a Canada Games. The trick is channelling that in the right direction. In this instance, the momentum nearly led to an unplanned chair-related interaction. On the plus side, the territory identified a hurdles prospect.
Northwest Territories goalkeepers tend to have their work cut out. Lucas Pedersen produced save after save during week one, helping the NWT to a series of respectable scorelines against much bigger opponents.
Mo Alhajjy scored a contender for goal of the tournament and possibly the NWT’s greatest ever Canada Games goal – the only time his team found the net that week. Here, the team celebrates with fans at the King George V Stadium in St John’s.
Beach volleyball players at the Canada Games endured a turbulent week. First, wildfires suspended play for two days. Once play resumed, a gale blew in, creating lively conditions for this encounter between the NWT (in blue) and Yukon.
Pin trading is central to the Canada Games experience for many athletes. This member of Team NT hadn’t been off the bus from the airport for more than 60 seconds when Quebec athletes arrived to set up trades.
Alongside about 130 athletes, more than 50 coaches, team managers and mission staff – people who help the team run smoothly and handle logistics – made the trip to St John’s. Here, volleyball coaches Brandon Thompson, Dave Heron and Heather Coakwell work with the male team during a break in play.
Elder Joe Grandjambe offered vocal support from the stands during a week two volleyball game.
The rain set in for a day or two of the week two, creating tricky conditions for track and field.
Indoor volleyball involves a variety of elaborate poses as teams set out their attacking or defensive strategies. This one drew comparisons with an iconic scene from Titanic.
Daphnee Babiuk, centre, points out the camera to a young participant accompanying the teams out onto the field in St John’s.
Gusty, the sou’wester-sporting codfish who served as the 2025 Canada Games mascot, joined Nunavut and NWT volleyball players for a photo.
Emma Pedersen, right, locked in battle with Alberta wrestler Paige Veloso.
One of Joe Depew’s javelin attempts. Depew also took part in shot put.
Orlee Duru, who was Team NT’s flagbearer at the closing ceremony, became the soccer team’s stand-in goalkeeper after an injury to Daphnee Babiuk. Here, she tipped a shot onto the bar against Manitoba.
