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Largest sanctioned youth sporting event in the nation to be held in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the fifth time since 1968, Knoxville will welcome 17,000 young athletes and coaches to town July 25-August 4 for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, the largest national multi-sport event conducted annually for youth in the nation.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games originated from “telegraphic” state track and field competitions. National Champions were determined by telephone and/or mail entries instead of head-to-head competition. The first live national meet was conducted in 1949 and its success led to support from the business and corporate sector.
Popularity of the AAU Youth Sports Program increased throughout the 1950s and AAU leaders decided to conduct two national championships simultaneously. The idea was fulfilled when Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey proclaimed the first AAU Junior Olympic Games open on August 21, 1967, in Washington, D.C.
Since the event began, many professional athletes have gotten their start in the AAU Youth Sports Program. AAU Alumni include Anfernee Hardaway, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Shaquille O’Neal, Evander Holyfield, Carrie Strug and many other talented athletes. Noteworthy basketball athletes that competed in Knoxville’s 2002 AAU Junior Olympic Games include former University of Tennessee greats Stanley Asumnu and C.J. Watson, University of North Carolina stars Ivory Latta and Rashad McCants and Duke University’s Alison Bales.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games has grown significantly since its start in 1967. Since Knoxville first hosted the competition in 1968, the number of participants has grown from 690 to an expected 17,000 in 2007. In addition to the number of athletes and coaches, this year’s event will bring in approximately 20,000 staff, family members and spectators to Knoxville.
Attendees can anticipate more than sports at this year’s AAU Junior Olympic Games. The “Celebration of Athletes”, on Monday, July 30, will feature a festival-type atmosphere, where athletes and their families can gather for an evening of food, live music, games and other entertainment in Knoxville’s Chilhowee Park.
The schedule of events for the AAU Junior Olympic Games includes 11 days packed with national championship competition in 22 different sports at 21 venues, around Knoxville and Knox County.
Daily admission to the AAU Junior Olympic Games is $12 per person and includes access to all sporting venues on the designated day only. Attendees may also purchase a “Passport,” which provides unlimited access to all sporting venues throughout the length of the event and the “Celebration of Athletes.” The “Passport” is sold for $40.
For general information about the 2007 AAU Junior Olympic Games, please visit the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation’s (KTSC) website at www.Knoxville.org or the AAU’s website www.aaujrogames.org.
Officials with the KTSC project that the 2007 AAU Junior Olympic Games will bring approximately $30.7 million of economic impact into the Knoxville/Knox County community.