COLUMBIA, MO — The 32nd Annual Show-Me STATE GAMES continues its summer schedule of events this weekend on Friday, July 22. Featuring more than 40 sporting competitions and special events, the Show-Me STATE GAMES is for Missourians of all ages and ability levels and is the largest state games in the nation.
Here are some highlights of this weekend’s events:
Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Conference
Returning to Columbia for its 21st year, the Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Conference strives to emphasize the importance of higher education as well as leadership among high school students from across the state who attend the event free of charge thanks to the generosity of Audrey Walton. The 2016 Audrey Walton Conference is scheduled to begin Thursday, July 21 and will continue through Saturday, July 23 at the University of Missouri.
More than 40 sports
The GAMES is excited to use several new Columbia Parks and Recreation facilities in 2016 including Gans Creek for Archery and Ultimate and a new championship disc golf course at Strawn Park.
Athletes can still register for several sports on-site including Powerlifing, Wrestling, 3D archery, Cycling, Martial Arts, Triathlon, Disc Golf, Fencing, Judo, Target Archery, Mountain Biking, 5K/10K Road Race/Race Walk and Shooting events. You can read about athletes of interest here – http://smsg.org/news_display.php?entrytodisplay=156. Visit here for the full schedule – www.smsg.org/pdfs/SMSGeventschedule1.pdf
Shelter Insurance® Torch Run Events
11:00 a.m.: Event begins at the Missouri State Capitol South Lawn, Jefferson City. Runners will bring the torch through a mile route in downtown Jefferson City.
3:00 p.m.: Event begins at Jesse Hall on the Mizzou Campus. The Torch will be taken to Shelter Insurance® for a brief ceremony starting at 3:30 p.m.
Audrey Walton Opening Ceremonies
The Opening Ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. at Mizzou Arena and will feature several athletes from the University of Missouri including Sophie Cunningham (Women’s Basketball), Lindsey Cunningham (Women’s Basketball), Brock Bondurant (Football) and Terrence Phillips (Men’s Basketball) as well as Miss Missouri, Erin O’Flaherty. The event is free and open to the public and includes the parade of athletes as well as the lighting of the cauldron, which will be assisted by former Olympians Larry Young and Thomas Schultz.
Stay Safe In the Heat
Athletic trainers and volunteers from the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute will be at the Show-Me STATE GAMES this weekend to help care for minor injuries such as sprains and bruises. University of Missouri Health Care will provide EMS at additional events as well. University of Missouri Health Care also makes heat safety tips available for Show-Me STATE GAMES participants, volunteers, spectators and officials. The tips can be found on the Show-Me STATE GAMES website here http://smsg.org/pdfs/SMSGHeatSafety.pdf, as well as on their Facebook page and in the free souvenir program.
Construction Alerts
With summer, comes construction in Missouri. The GAMES would like to remind competitors and spectators to keep the following in mind when planning travel to the Show-Me STATE GAMES.
-MODOT recommends that those heading to Cosmo Park for the GAMES this weekend (July 22-24) should use Stadium Boulevard as the best route.
-In addition, please be aware of other construction in Central Missouri including bridge work on the Missouri River Bridge in Jefferson City and the Lamine River, west of Boonville.
For more information on the above events or for details about the more than 40 sports offered by the Show-Me STATE GAMES, visit www.smsg.org. Call Emily at 573-882-2105 or 314-808-6047 with any media inquiries.
The Show-Me STATE GAMES was established in 1985 as a non-profit program of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Health. Now the largest state games in the nation, the Show-Me STATE GAMES is hosted by the University of Missouri. In addition to the summer games, the Show-Me STATE GAMES offers events throughout the year to promote health, fitness, family and fun.
— Show-Me-Game Press Release —