The summer is off to both a very positive and a negative start. On the positive side, our programs and events are off and running, or swimming, or jumping whatever the case may be. On the negative side, Chicago has already experienced a rash of shootings, much of it youth on youth violence. This early outbreak of violence simply reinforces the importance of providing safe, healthy activities for youth; activities that not only occupy kids, but also help them build the skills and character to handle the myriad of challenges they face. World Sport Chicago continues to try and provide this support.
So far this summer we’ve launched our summer track program, held a learn to swim clinic with Olympian Cullen Jones and hosted a rhythmic gymnastics clinic and international event. With 26 wards participating in our track program this year we’re sure to have hundreds of kids trying out their speed and strength at our various meets. With Cullen in town, we had the opportunity to spread the word to community leaders about the importance of getting kids across the city out to swimming pools for lessons. His visit kicks off a program we are piloting in two neighborhoods to try and partner with community groups to grow swimming enrollment.
In the next month we have another big set of activities coming up. In July you can take your pick of two track meets; the Cover Girl Classic gymnastic event; USA Team Handball's Battle of Chicago, which will feature the top handball teams in the world or some Paralympic events for young athletes with disabilities - enjoy these events as a spectator or help out as a volunteer.
Our track meets in July are on July 17th and 24th. We’re looking for volunteers to help with the meets so please sign-up if you have time on either of those Saturday mornings.
The Cover Girl event brings together the top 100 female gymnasts in the country to the UIC Pavilion on July 23rd and 24th. This event offers one of the first views of some of the up and coming stars who could be part of our team in London, as well as some of those who competed with us in Beijing.
If you’re interested in helping out with or simply seeing something that is completely different you’ll want to be a part of the international handball match featuring the National Teams of Germany and Poland. Germany, the 2007 World Champion, and Poland, which defeated Germany at the 2010 European Championships, are two of the top teams in this sport in the world.
This one-time-only event will take place at the UIC Pavilion, with thousands of passionate Polish, German, and American spectators. If you want to see what this sport is like check out the clip here.
On top of all of this we previewed a series of sports at Taste of Chicago last week have begun planning for the fall archery, badminton, wrestling and weightlifting programs.
I also want to provide everyone with a bit of a teaser around one of our largest event of the year. In concert with the Beyond Sport conference at the end of September, World Sport Chicago will be hosting a city wide sports festival. More information on this will be in next month's newsletter.
I want to give a special shout out to Connie Moore this month. Many of you may have had the opportunity to meet Connie during the bid. Her energy and commitment was a big part of many of our clinics. After the bid ended Connie decided to re-launch her track career. After being part of the team in Sydney she retired and didn’t compete for a slot on the team in Beijing. Well, not only has Connie gotten back into track but this past weekend she won the national championship in the 200m with the fourth fastest time in the world this year. Congratulations to Connie. It’s great to see a representative of South Shore high and such an outstanding role model doing well. You may send a note of support to Connie to share your personal message.