A stream of buses converged on Langley Thursday, carrying thousands of athletes, coaches and officials from across the province to this weekend's BC Summer Games.

A total of 33 out-of-town buses, along with 11 buses provided by the BC Summer Games Society, dropped off participants at the Langley Events Centre throughout the morning. The Langley School District has donated a fleet of between 30 and 40 buses for Games' use this weekend.

From the LEC, the guests were transported to either their accommodations or sports venues.

Township of Langley BC Summer Games director of accommodation Ed Kolla said the challenge will be utilizing the bus drivers.

"Given the amount of shifts, hopefully we can cover all of them," he said.

The hordes of athletes, coaches, and participants, many of whom appeared travel-weary and bleary-eyed upon arrival, navigated along a floor of luggage and sports equipment in the east parking lot of the LEC.

Zone 1 (Kootenays) soccer players Nigel Ziegler and Jake Anderson said the more than eight-hour bus ride to Langley will be worth it once the Games begin.

"Lots of fun, experiences, and a big win," Nigel said, when asked what he hopes to get out of the Games.

"Lots of fun, a new experience, and meeting new people," Jake chimed in.

Seventeen-year-old wrestler Madison Beblow, from Smithers, returned from a meet in Brazil Tuesday, and now finds her feet in Langley for the Games.

Madison said she wants to gain more experience this weekend.

"Just preparing for matches," she said. "I'm hoping to get some close matches and wrestle better."

Madison's Zone 7 teammate Hilary Goble said, since she is a novice wrestler, the Games will prove to be valuable.

"It's only my first year, so I need more experience, getting all the matches I can get," Hilary said.

The Games run today (Friday) and Saturday before wrapping up Sunday afternoon with closing ceremonies at the LEC. The Games involve more than 2,500 athletes, 500 coaches, and 330 technical officials.