Not quite Beijing, city comes alive for friendly Olympic Games By PETE LORENZ For the Blade-News
Under a cloudless sky, area youth competed in various athletic events, each hoping to earn a blue ribbon at the 40th annual Bowie Olympics which were held Saturday at the Bowie High School track.
The Bowie Recreation Council organizes the event each year to promote the Bowie summer track program.
"We're here to promote (the Bowie) summer track program," said BRC member John Shepherd. "Next year we're hoping to expand it to more track teams in the area."
While there were plenty of winners, dozens more under the age of 14 participated at the Olympics. Children ages 2 to 5 took part in the Pee Wee events, where each participant was limited to two events. The field events followed for ages 6 to 13 and, after that, the same age group competed in track events. Participants in the latter age group were limited to four events. After completion, an awards ceremony was held for everyone involved.
Faye Little, whose daughters Nia, 11, and Kayla, 8, participated in the 100-meter run and the softball throw, said she thought the event accomplished its goals.
"This is a great event for the kids," she said. "The kids are having fun, and we're trying to raise money for the track team."
Several others shared Little's sentiments. Tracy Morgan and her daughter Katrina, 7, spent time at the Olympics, and Morgan believed that Saturday's weather had a positive effect on the day.
"It's good that there's a breeze today," she said. "I think they started it at a good time."
The event was from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Shepherd, who has helped organize the Bowie Olympics for 12 years, agreed. "We've been here on sweltering hot days ... over the years," Shepherd said. "This is a beautiful day."
Elaine Middour, who had two sons participating in the Olympics, joined Morgan in her appreciation for the early start time.
"It's a good day for it," Middour said. "I'm glad they did it in the morning and not in the afternoon."
Middour's son David, 6, participated in the track and field events, while
Joshua, 4, partook in the Pee Wee events.
Most of the events were held on the field or on the track surrounding it. The long jump featured a designated stretch of field followed by a patch of sand for the children to leap onto. In the softball throw - tennis balls for the Pee Wees - the contestants lined up behind a marker and could run all the way up to that line before hurling the ball; the winner was decided by measuring how far the ball traveled before making contact with the ground. Track events were judged traditionally, with each child taking a lane and sprinting to the finish line.
While the bleachers were designated for onlookers and children who were taking a break from competition, many of the parents stood on the field or the track to cheer on their youth athletes. In some cases they even helped with the judging.
Also at the track were concession stands. Hot dogs, sausages, chips and cotton candy were the fare of the day. The concessions were run by volunteer workers.
"This is our first time, and it looks like they're very well organized," Middour said. "I think they did a good job here."
