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Youth Center hosts sports events inspired by Olympics

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The modern-day Olympics is an international sporting event that was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games, which originated in Greece more than 2,000 years ago. Every four years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games every two years, thousands of athletes from more than 400 nations compete in a variety of competitions, hoping to win the gold medal.

This year, people from around the world gathered to watch the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and saw a record number of 2,800 athletes competing.

And, this week the Youth Center at Scott Air Force Base participated in their own 2014 Olympic Celebration June 17-19. Throughout the week, participants competed in a variety of challenges, including shot put, relays and distance tosses. These activities emphasized fitness and the Olympic ideals, such as sportsmanship, fair play, respect and perseverance.

Stephan James, Youth Center youth and program assistant, arranged and managed the competition and said the children had spent time learning about the Sochi Winter Olympics, and he hopes they will walk away with a better understanding of this competition.

"Earlier this year, we had focused on the Sochi Winter Olympics. Each classroom had its own country to learn about. They had their own ceremony where they walked around the building, igniting the start of the Winter Olympics. This competition went along with that. I came up with some events to get the children involved so they can know a little about the history and the different games."

The games were open to all the youth who go to the Youth Center. Parents and volunteers were also welcome to attend and be involved.

James said one reason to participate in these games was to motivate children to get outside and do physical activities.

"Fitness is important to children because it gives them the confidence to do anything they want to do. Even if you work out for 30 minutes a day, you feel better about yourself. When you have those habits at an early age, it doesn't seem like a task when you get older; it's a lot easier to build upon."

James said participating in sports and being active is good for building a positive self-esteem because it increases a child's confidence.

"Having the knowledge that you can do many physical things will open up your mind to try different events: 5K or a bike ride," James said. "I feel that sports bring people together; you are all in it for one goal. Somebody may not be as good as you, but you always want to bring that teammate up. It builds strong relationships with people who come from different backgrounds, and you learn to accept people for who they are."

The Youth Center wrapped up the event with a parade and a motivational speech from Ed Cockrell, a Paralympic athlete who won the silver medal for shot put in Athens, Greece in 2004.

"This is what it's all about, introducing Olympic Day and Olympians to kids," said the silver medalist. "This was fun because you don't have to be disabled to enjoy athletics; it's for everybody. One girl asked me how far she would have to throw to get into the Olympics, and I told her a long way."

The Olympic Creed states, "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

Cockrell said he hopes to inspire this attitude in young minds.

"The Olympic Creed says to do your best, whether you win or lose. We have to look at the world as an ever-changing environment, and athletics is the only thing that is really about doing your best and competing internationally and nationally. I think it starts at this level because they compete in schools, high school, college, and so forth."

Landon Beisner said he really liked participating in the Olympic Celebration and his favorite event was the shot put.

"You have to put the ball against your cheek, push up and throw it the farthest," said the 6 year old. "It's my favorite because you can throw. I like soccer, hockey, tennis, and baseball. You get a lot of exercise and get strong."

The Olympic Motto is Citius, Altuis, Fortius, which means faster, higher, stronger. This motto is meant to inspire athletes to embrace the Olympic spirit and to compete to the best of their abilities.

The 2014 Olympic Celebration provided an outlet for the Youth Center children to compete and build confidence in their own abilities, so they can continue to grow and strive to do their best.