Springfield College, YMCAs Host Fifth Annual Springfield Youth Olympics
July 29, 2011SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 29, 2011—The fifth annual Springfield Youth Olympics, a fun-filled array of track, field and other sport competition, will be open to youth aged 5 through 22, on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Springfield College. The opening ceremony will be Friday, July 29, at 6 p.m. on Blake Track. Organizing sponsors of the event—Springfield College, the YMCA of Greater Springfield, and the YMCA of Greater Hartford—expect a high of about 500 area youths to participate.
"This event is innovative, collaborative and inspirational," said Kirk Smith, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Springfield. "It advances the shared mission of Springfield College and the YMCA of developing the whole person in spirit, mind and body. Some of these young people would never have an opportunity to compete with one another in this fun and safe environment. It allows three great institutions to come together with the goal of exposing our youth to the power of growth and teamwork. We’re confident that, through our innovative collaboration, others will be inspired to join the cause to further strengthen our communities."
"Springfield College prides itself on being a part of, and not apart from, the community," President Richard B. Flynn said . "We eagerly welcome the youth of the surrounding communities to our campus to foster their growth in spirit, mind and body."
This is the first year in the event’s five-year history that the YMCA of Greater Hartford is involved. "We are pleased to be a participating partner in the fifth annual Springfield Youth Olympics," said James O’S. Morton, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Hartford. "We view this as an opportunity to create greater alignment between the cities of Springfield and Hartford, and the children of those cities."
The opening ceremony will feature greetings from Kirk Smith; Morton; Katherine Smith, Springfield College director of conferences and special programs; and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Following the remarks will be a ceremonial lap around the track by participants and an exhibition basketball game between adults from the Springfield and Hartford YMCAs.
Competitive events will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. There will be basketball and soccer games, tennis matches, and track and field events including shot put, long jump, triple jump, high jump, and races of 1,500, 800, 400, 200 and 100 meters. There will also be relay races of 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meters. Finally, there will be a 50-meter race for children aged 10 and younger.
Winners of first through third places in each event will receive medals, and all participants will receive ribbons. Restaurant 99 will provide free water and snacks for participants, while Subway will provide reduced-price sandwiches. Registration is $2 for individual athletes and $100 for soccer and basketball teams. There is no fee for individual basketball or soccer players. Competitors may register in advance at the YMCA of Greater Springfield or at the YMCA of Greater Hartford. Registration forms will be collected until 9 a.m. Saturday. The first 700 athletes to register will receive a free Springfield Youth Olympics t-shirt. For participants under age 18, a parent or guardian must sign.
Sponsors also include 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.
