RECREATION
PLAY LIKE YOU MEAN IT IN COLUMBIA Photo by Dan Brenner
BY DAVID WEBB
C
olumbia is host to a number of popular annual sporting events, bringing thousands of athletes, volunteers and spectators from within the state and across the country together to enjoy competition and build friendships. Among these events are the Show-Me State Games and the Central Area Special Olympics of Missouri, which bring a great deal of revenue to the community of Columbia as well as bringing its members together in a very special way. The Show-Me State Games, an Olympic-style festival held in the summer, offers more than 40 different sports for all ages and ability levels. The main Show-Me State Games occur over three weekends during the summer. In 2014 the dates will be June 20–22, July 18–20 and July 25–27. In addition to the summer games, there are events held throughout the year that serve as fundraisers and help promote the overall mission of the games. The largest events are centered around team sports such as baseball, basketball and soccer. The largest of the fundraisers in terms of numbers are the 3v3 Soccerfest and the February “Hoopin’ It Up” basketball tournament. In its 29th year, the Show-Me State Games brought in 33,273 athletes to Columbia. The games have also managed to attract such celebrities as Olympic Gold Medalist Jordyn Wieber to the opening ceremonies. The 2014 games will mark the return of the running of the torch, which had been missing from the games for a decade. Another athletics organization important to Columbia is the Central Area Special Olympics of Missouri (SOMO), which has a mission to change the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports. “We feel that everyone deserves a chance to excel at life and grow both physically and mentally, regardless of the intellectual disability they may have,” said Brandon Schatsiek, a spokesman for the organization. The Special Olympics games offer 21 Olympic-style sports to athletes throughout the year and host more than 330 sporting competitions around the state. Currently there are two state-level competitions in 2014 (State Summer Games in Columbia and the State Outdoor Games in Jefferson City). In order to compete at that level, the athletes must first compete at the area, district and regional levels, depending on the sport in which they are participating. Then the competitors are allowed to move on to the state-level competitions depending upon their performance at the local events. So, the athletes who are chosen to attend the state-level events are the best of the best.
There are more than 17,000 participating athletes from throughout the state of Missouri. The athletes are the organization’s first priority, and the physical, social and emotional benefits of participation in the program are experienced both on and off the field. Not only does practicing and competing help the athletes’ physical fitness, but it also typically enhances their self-esteem and instills a sense of pride. In a survey developed by John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, it was found that 87 percent of athletes noticed an increase in self confidence due to their participation in a Special Olympics program. Other SOMO programs and events include a program for children under the age of 8. Known as the Youth Athletes Program, it is designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development while teaching the basics to prepare children for transition to the main program once they reach the admission age. The Unified Sports program allows individuals who aren’t challenged to practice and compete with some current SOMO athletes. Athletes and partners compete alongside one another in an effort to create bonds. The program was inspired by the simple principle that training together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
HOST IT HERE Need a place to host a tournament or sporting event? Columbia’s extensive parks system has hosted a wide variety of competitive events, including swim tournaments, the MO Grand Prix, half marathons, basketball tournaments and martial arts competitions. The Columbia CVB can help you book blocks of hotel rooms for teams and fans, match local facilities to events, and provide other important information about services in the community. Contact them at 573-875-1231.
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