USA Weightlifting Partners with World Sport Chicago and the Chicago Park District to Bring Weightlifting to Local Teenagers

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. (March 18, 2010) - USA Weightlifting is pleased to announce a new program – Olympic Weightlifting for Teens – that will bring the sport of weightlifting to boys and girls, ages 12-18 in Chicago.

Through a partnership with World Sport Chicago and the Chicago Park District, local teenagers will be introduced to the sport of Olympic weightlifting through a year-round program at six parks located in the central, southern and northern regions of Chicago.

“World Sport Chicago is very excited to be launching this program with the park district and USAW,” said World Sport Chicago Executive Director Scott Myers (Chicago, Ill.) “Our goal is to engage youth of all interests and abilities in weightlifting as a great way of getting and staying healthy. Also, with the expertise of USAW, we believe we'll find some great talent in the city. Hopefully this model will not only grow in Chicago, but in other cities as well.”

Olympic Weightlifting for Teens is open to both new athletes as well as youth looking to improve their strength for other sports. The program will provide participants with a great foundation for fitness, offer them a competitive and energetic outlet and introduce them to the discipline and dedication it takes to maintain regular weight training.

The first session of the 10-week program will be launched during the week of March 29.

“The sport has a great history of athlete production and hosting competitions in Chicago, and this is another great part of that legacy. We are proud that we will be contributing to the health and lifestyle of these young participants, and we also hope that we may find some future Olympians and international competitors in Chicago,” said Mike Gattone (Chicago, Ill.), USA Weightlifting Director of High Performance and Coaching Education.

USA Weightlifting will provide Chicago Park District coaches and instructors with training and certification in Olympic weightlifting techniques and training methods. The three programs will progress from spring through the fall and build on the participants’ knowledge, techniques, strength and conditioning.

“This is one of the first programs of its kind in the United States and, with the partnership between World Sport Chicago, Chicago Park District and USA Weightlifting, probably the largest. This program will provide children throughout Chicago with the opportunity to join the ranks of the strongest athletes in the world,” said USA Weightlifting CEO Rick Adams (Colorado Springs, Colo.) “As the National Governing Body for the sport in America, USA Weightlifting’s mission is to grow and develop the sport in this country. We are very excited about this partnership which we expect to reach hundreds of kids from all areas of Chicago.”

The program will be held during 10-week spring and summer sessions for one hour a day, twice a week. During the fall session, a third program will be offered three times a week for athletes who are interested in continuing in the sport and preparing for competition.

To register for the Olympic Weightlifting for Teens program, visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call the Chicago Park District at 312.742.PLAY.