Olympic-style games bring out spirit of friendly competition

Based largely upon an Olympic-style format, the athletes played without million-dollar contracts or a world full of adoring fans. They played for imitation Olympic medals and the chance to participate in the Phoenix finals.

The top three winners from the five areas of competition - basketball, bowling, soccer, fast-pitch softball and track and field - earned a free trip to Phoenix for the finals, to be held June 19-22.

The games, which began five years ago in Phoenix, made their inaugural appearance in Tucson Saturday morning as a preliminary stage for athletes in Southern Arizona.

Previously, all competitions were held in Phoenix, but the preliminary competitions have expanded to Tucson and Flagstaff to involve the entire state.

"The games were conceived to build community within the state," said Laura Teso, the university's volunteer coordinator for the games.

The executive director of the games, Erik Widmark, said anyone in the state can participate because the competitions are not limited by age or ability.

"We had a 99-year-old man compete last year in the track and field, throwing the javelin," he said. " Last week we had a 3-year-old compete in the 1500-meter walk."

"It's really important that we provide year-round competition for everyone, regardless of age and ability," Widmark said.

At the Phoenix competition last year, Widmark said the games featured 23 sports, with 11, 621 athletes. This year about 1,600 athletes competed in Tucson. About 15,000 athletes competed between the two venues, he said.

The largest contingency of athletes came from Tucson high schools and the younger athletes sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs, Widmark said.

"There were not as many university students here as there will be in the future," he said.

Teso said the games are good for young kids who do not have summer plans.

"It builds their self-esteem up, and puts them in contact with their peers," she said.

Held on campus and sponsored by the UA, members of the campus community were also involved in the games, mainly as volunteers.

Of the more than 100 people who volunteered to help the games run smoothly, 36 were either university students, faculty or staff.

"I had the time, so I figured it was a great thing to do and a great way to represent my organization," said nursing senior Jocelyn Nelms, who works for Project Volunteer.

"Plus, I'm a sports enthusiast, so this is great," she said.

Saturday, Nelms worked at the registration booths, checking in athletes before their competitions.

Sunday, she worked as a basketball scorekeeper for the women's competitive division.

Teso said the importance of the volunteers needs to be recognized.

"Volunteers set up booths and materials, gave out t-shirts, helped with orientation, worked as timekeepers and scorers and helped in areas of hospitality," she said.

Nelms said she hoped more people learn about the games because they are a great opportunity.

"I hope the word gets out to more people, in Sierra Vista and Southern Arizona. Since the games are in Tucson, more people can compete.

"Many times Southern Arizona displaces itself from the rest of the state. This type of activity brings the state together," she said.

Since 1978, when the Empire State Games began in New York, Olympic-style games have started in 44 states.

Joe Erceg, a member of the board of the Grand Canyon State Games, has considered plans for a national competition, with Phoenix and Tucson as likely capitals, but the plans are still in speculation.

Meanwhile, the Grand Canyon Games will return to Tucson next year.