Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Countdown begins for first Inner-City Games

Registration begins today for the Greater Las Vegas Inner-City Games, and if area children show half as much enthusiasm as the adults who are organizing the games, the program should be a resounding success.

"Everyone is very stoked," co-chairwoman Elaine Wynn said at a kick-off reception Monday evening at Planet Hollywood.

"We're feeling good because we're offering something for our children that's a positive alternative to drugs, gangs and violent behavior," said Wynn, director of Mirage Resorts.

What local sponsors offer is the opportunity for all local children between the ages of 7 and 17 -- especially those who live in inner-city areas -- to compete in individual and team preliminary sporting competitions throughout the summer.

Among those at Planet Hollywood were educators from throughout the school district who have volunteered to inform local children of the games, and to help those who are interested with registration.

"Each school has a certain person who is responsible for making the kids aware of the games," Wynn said.

Susie Lee, executive director of the Greater Las Vegas Inner-City Games, said 10,000 registration booklets will be distributed throughout the schools.

"We are very excited about getting our registration drive under way," Lee said. "All of our volunteers, staff and committee members have been working countless hours putting together the actual framework for the summer's games. Through it all, we have received very generous support from local businesses, organizations and cities and county governments."

The first Inner-City Games, founded five years ago by Arnold Schwarzenegger, drew 20,000 youths in Los Angeles. Last year, four other cities joined LA, where the games had swelled to a sports extravaganza involving 120,000 participants.

This year, 10 cities -- Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, New York, Houston, San Diego, Orlando, Fla., and San Antonio, Texas -- are scheduled to host the games.

Wynn and the other co-chairwoman, County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates, have been spearheading the Inner-City Games effort in Las Vegas.

"This program means opportunity for a young kid whose parents might not have the time or the financial resources to get involved," Gates said. "It presents an opportunity for a child to learn a sport and to learn sportsmanship."

Gates said coaches from throughout the community will volunteer their time to help teach even those children who have never held a basketball or softball the fundamentals of sports.

Free beginner clinics will be conducted on Saturdays beginning June 1 and will be followed by preliminary competitions starting Aug. 10 in 12 events -- flag football, basketball, softball, boxing, martial arts, golf, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball, tennis and hip-hop dance.

Those children who choose to compete track and field shouldn't be surprised if they find themselves being coached by Gates herself.

The county commissioner set records in the long jump when she attended Clark High School. She also ran hurdles and played on the girls' varsity basketball team.

"Well, I'm going to continue to help out as much as I can," Gates said with a laugh.

Wynn has hinted that she might also work with area children in one of her favorite activities -- hip-hop dance.

"I'm going to try it, but Commissioner Gates is the athlete," Wynn said.

Following the beginner clinic and preliminary competitions, on Sept. 21, Schwarzenegger, chairman of the Inner-City Games Foundation, along with tennis star Andre Agassi will host the games' opening ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The deadline for registration is May 10.

Local sponsors of the Greater Las Vegas Inner-City Games include: Las Vegas Housing Authority, Clark County Family & Youth Services, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Clark County School District, Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas, Mirage Resorts, Nevada Partners, Clark County Parks and Recreation and the YMCA.

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