Apr 21

Written by: Iowa Games
Thursday, April 21, 2011 10:25 AM 

Iowa Sports Foundation (ISF) officials announced today the opening of registration for the 25th Anniversary Summer Iowa Games powered by the Iowa Food and Family project is now available at IowaGames.org. From May to July, athletes from every county in the state will take part in a summer tradition in Iowa’s premier annual sports festival.

Over 15,000 athletes participated in the 2010 Summer Iowa Games, and with the growth of many sports, numbers are expected to increase. This year’s Games will feature 41 individual sports and 13 team sports. Although many of the events will take place in Ames and surrounding communities during the month of July, the Games will host events beginning in May and conclude at the end of July.

Featured at this year’s Games will be Iowa’s own, Shawn Johnson and Tim Dwight. Dwight, former Hawkeye and NFL standout, will be competing in 25 different Iowa Games events in celebration of the 25th Anniversary and is challenging all Iowans to compete against him in one of the 25 events.

Johnson, an Olympic gold medal gymnast, will be the keynote speaker at the 2011 Opening Ceremony to be held on July 15 in Ames at Jack Trice Stadium and will be signing autographs prior to the Opening Ceremony at Finals Fest.

“Our goal at the Iowa Sports Foundation is to help Iowa become the healthiest state in America,” commented long-time ISF Executive Director, Jim Hallihan. “The Summer Iowa Games offers over 50 sports for Iowans of all ages and abilities. I encourage all Iowans to find your sport and be a part of the tradition in the 25th Anniversary 2011 Summer Iowa Games powered by the Iowa Food and Family Project.”

New to the 2011 Summer Iowa Games will be the sport of Hapkido a discipline of Martial Arts. With addition of Adaptive Sports Iowa to the ISF, select sports will offer divisions for physically disabled athletes. Many traditional Games sports will be offering new divisions catering to more of Iowa’s amateur athletes.

Be a part of the TRADITION at the 25th Anniversary 2011 Summer Iowa Games powered by the Iowa Food and Family Project. Visit IowaGames.org to register today. If you would like more information about a sport visit IowaGames.org or call 888.777.8881 to request an entry form.

Iowa Games brochures will be available in early May at these Iowa locations: Hy-Vee Food and Drug Stores, participating Subway locations, U.S. Banks, Casey’s General Stores, Iowa Health System locations, local Parks and Recreation departments, Central Iowa Toyota Dealers, YMCAs, as well as many health and fitness clubs throughout the state.