State Games of America Athlete Registrations Soar To 5,627 From 45 States, Well On Course For New Mark of 10,000 For The National Event, Aug.2-5
With just over a month to go before the Opening Ceremony at the Colorado Springs World Arena, registrations for the 2007 State Games of America are on a record pace. The event is on track to hit 10,000 athletes, breaking the old mark of 9,462 set in 2005.
In just the past four days, the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation received signups from 65 soccer teams with 1,040 players, as well as 245 new swimmers.
Athletes in Colorado and across the nation can go to:
www.stategames.org, then click on the State Games of America logo for complete registration information, lodging and accommodations information, ticket details and much more.
Figure skating entries have been closed at a record 1,110 athletes, and Gymnastics is at 100% of its goal of 250 athletes, but can handle more. Swimming has a total of 452 of its target of 500 swimmers registered, but State Games Director Doug Martin says that the Games can take a few additional swimmers before entries have to be capped because of limits on the program at the state-of-the-art United States Olympic Committee Aquatics Center's 50-meter pool.
Track and Field entries are now at 394 (56% of the goal), Golf is at 74% of its goal, and Bowling is at 70% of its goal of 225 keglers.
"We are thrilled with the response to date," says Sports Corp President & CEO Tom Osborne, but now comes the big push for us in terms of Colorado athletes. Last year, we had 112 cities and towns in Colorado send over 6,000 athletes to our Rocky Mountain State Games, and we hope we can get that again from our own residents."
The leaders by state at this point after Colorado registrations are Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana and Missouri.
"What we are really excited about in addition to the athlete count is the increased number of top-level high school athletes this time," said Osborne. "We are seeing state champions and regional stars sign up in several sports, as well as college athletes who have done well. The balance we are seeing is a great mix of the elite athletes along with seniors, and some recreational and developing athletes, which is what the State Games are about."
Cycling has been added to the program for the first time this year, and Osborne and his team are hoping for a sizeable increase in registrations in a sport that is very popular in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West..
"We are doing everything we can through USA Cycling, clubs, media and sponsors to let cyclists know we have mountain biking and road cycling in the Games," says Osborne. "It's been slower than we'd like to date, but we think it will step it up in the next month ands that we can come close to our goal of 395 cycling entries."
The Opening Ceremony is set for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Major sport venues include the United States Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Fort Carson, and The Colorado College.
Athletes will receive free admission to the Opening Ceremony. Spectators can purchase Opening Ceremony tickets, $10 for adults, $5 for youth (18 & under) & seniors (55+) C
all 866-464-2626 to purchase tickets or go to
www.ticketswest.com. Some 1,500 of 5,000 available tickets for the public have already been purchased.
In order to qualify for the State Games of America, participants must have won a gold, silver or bronze medal in a SGA sport in their local State Games in a qualifying year (2005 or 2006 Summer, 2006 or 2007 Winter), won a medal in the 2005 State Games of America or be residents of Colorado for at least 30 days prior to competition. College students, U.S. military personnel and their families who are stationed in Colorado, are also eligible to participate.
History of the State Games of America
1999- St.Louis (6193 athletes)
2001- St. Louis (5211 athletes)
2003- Hartford (4881 athletes)
2005- Colorado Springs (9462 athletes)
2007- Colorado Springs (10,000 athletes, est.)
2009- Colorado Springs (12,000 athletes, est.)