Fourth Annual Springfield Youth Olympics
July 29, 2010Springfield College, YMCA of Greater Springfield will Host Fourth Annual Springfield Youth Olympics This Weekend
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 29, 2010 – The fourth annual Springfield Youth Olympics, a fun-filled array of track, field, tennis and soccer competition, will be open to youths aged five through 22, this Friday and Saturday, July 30 and 31, 2010, at Springfield College. Organizing sponsors of the event, Springfield College and the YMCA of Greater Springfield, expect a new high of about 500 area youth to participate.
According to James O’S. Morton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, “This event has grown from a local to a regional event with more youth and families participating each year. It is a great opportunity for young people to experience healthy competition and showcase athletic talents, and for families to come together. This collaboration with Springfield College enables us to help build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.”
Speaking for Springfield College, Katherine A. Smith, director of conferences and special events, said, “As a college founded on the principle of educating the spirit, mind and body, we are happy to welcome our community to our campus for this day of healthful activity and fun.”
The Springfield Youth Olympics opening ceremony will be Friday, at 6 p.m., on Blake Track, with greetings from Morton, Smith and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Following the ceremony will be soccer games.
Saturday events will begin at 9 a.m. There will be soccer and tennis matches, and track and field events including shot put, long jump, triple jump, and races of 1,500 meters, 800 meters, 400 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters, and relay races of 4 x 400 meters and 4 x 100 meters. There will also be a 50-meter race for children aged 10 and under.
Winners of first through third places in each event will receive ribbons, and Restaurant 99 will provide a free lunch for each participant. Registration is $2. Competitors may register in advance at the YMCA of Greater Springfield or by e-mailing jmorton@springfieldy.org. Registration will also be available at Blake Track Friday evening and Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. The first 500 persons to register will receive a free Springfield Youth Olympics tee shirt. For participants under age 18, a parent or guardian must sign.
Cosponsors of the Springfield Youth Olympics, in addition to Springfield College and the YMCA of Greater Springfield, are Alternatives in Physical Therapy, Baystate Health, Black Men of Greater Springfield, Health New England, Law Offices of Robert Rosen, Mass. Velocity Track Club, the Office of the Mayor of Springfield, Performance Rehabilitation, Restaurant 99, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, Western Mass. Track & Field Officials Association, and 5A.
