7,000 athletes to descend on Springs for State Games

Tweet

The Rocky Mountain State Games could have $9 million economic impact on city.

The annual Rocky Mountain State Games, featuring amateur athletes of every age and skill level, kicks into high gear July 20 with basketball competitions at Cheyenne Mountain and Manitou Springs high schools.

The first weekend includes eight sports and jump starts the first half of the annual Games.

The event, which runs over two weekends, is expected to attract 7,000 athletes to Colorado Springs. In 2011, the event was expected to bring in an estimated $9 million to Colorado Springs as athletes and their families booked hotel rooms and spent money on food and other area attractions.

The Rocky Mountain State Games is recognized by the National Congress of State Games, a member of the United States Olympic Committee. This summer’s games will be July 20-22 and July 27-29.

Organized and managed by the Colorado Springs Sports Corp., the 2012 games will offer competition in 34 sports.

On tap July 20-22 are basketball, cross fit, inline hockey, table tennis, track and field, trap shooting, triathlon and aquathlon.

The second half of competition will take place July 27-29 with competition in the remaining 25 sports. A total of 30 venues are being used for the Games.

• The Rocky Mountain State Games will feature an Opening Celebration at 4:30 p.m. July 27, at America The Beautiful Park.  This event includes a Taekwondo exhibition and fans and athletes will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering in the world wearing swimming caps. The record to break is 2,049.  Swim caps will be handed out and once everyone has one, a picture will be taken. Organizers hope that number will set the new Guinness record.

• The Parade of Athletes will then move from America The Beautiful Park to downtown Colorado Springs and join the Olympic Downtown Celebration, which starts at 4 p.m.