Press
Utah Summer Games 2004 A Success
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Another chapter has been written in the colorful book of the Utah Summer Games. This year, the Utah Summer Games celebrated its 19 th year of offering an Olympic-style sports festival with over 40 sports for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
This year, the Utah Summer Games flame traveled the entire length of the state, beginning in Salt Lake City where Governor Olene Walker lit a replica of the cauldron found in Eccles Coliseum on the campus of Southern Utah University. From Salt Lake City the flame traveled to Logan where the Utah Summer Games honored Utah State University basketball coach Stew Morrel for his contributions to sports in the state. Next, the flame landed in St. George, where Dr. Walter Brooks was honored posthumously for his involvement in local athletics.
After St. George, the flame traveled to Cedar City where on June 10, Bruce Hurst, former Major League Baseball pitcher lit the Utah Summer Games Cauldron. An audience of nearly 15,000 people enjoyed the inspiring March of Athletes, a BMX stunt show, an awesome concert by award winning country band BlackHawk and a huge fireworks show.
“I really can't remember ever seeing more people in this coliseum than there were for Opening Ceremonies,” commented Ed Kociela, writer for the Spectrum Daily News. “it was a great show.”
The real excitement kicked off on June 3. The Utah Summer Games hosted around 7,000 athletes and their friends, families and supporters. This year's soccer tournament had record participation with 191 total teams competing for the gold medal in their respective age brackets.
This year the Utah Summer Games hosted several world-class athletes. Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold Medalist participated in the Team Extreme Wrestling Camp held in conjunction with the Utah Summer Games wresting event. Tiffany Lott-Hogan and Marlon Shirley, both world record holders, participated in the Track & Field event while others participated in additional events.
“Over all, I am very pleased with the Games this year,” said Kyle Case, Utah Summer Games Director. “This year there just seemed to be a special feeling in the air. Everywhere I went, people were smiling and having a good time. Everyone just really came together to pull off an awesome event. It was truly a pleasure to be involved with the Games.”
The Utah Summer Games is already preparing for its 20 th anniversary season and plans to release the new schedule as quickly as possible.
Labels: History
