The Final Day of the 2008 AAU Olympic Games

The 2008 AAU Junior Olympic Games have come to an end in Detroit, and Des Moines, Iowa is now “on the clock” for the 2009 AAU Junior Olympic Games.  More than 16,000 athletes and coaches and over 35,000 family members traveled to Detroit from nearly 50 states to compete in 21 sports over 10 days.  Congratulations to all of the athletes who competed this year in Detroit. More information and results of the 2008 AAU Junior Olympic Games is available on the web at www.aaujrogames.org.

Detroit receives positive reviews from visitors
Detroit impressed many visitors throughout the AAU Junior Olympic Games.  In particular, the facilities at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, MI, were particularly impressive.  “It was very nice, and they took care of everything they had to have done this week,” said Kim Stone, of Oak Harbor, OH, whose son, Drew, wrestled for the gold medal Lake Erie Monsters. “It was a real nice place, and I liked the setup.  I liked how everything ran.  It ran really well,” said Eric Cubberly, who wrestled for the Monsters.  The area, as a whole, left a good impression on the 18-year-old gold medalist, as well.  “The area’s real nice.  Everything’s convenient for us,” he said.

AAU Junior Olympic Games Fuel Local Economy
Various local hotels ranging from Washtenaw County’s Four Points By Sheraton to the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest hotels in Ann Arbor are enjoying significantly increased occupancy.  Other businesses such as the Rynearson Stadium/Olds Marshall Track concession stands at Eastern Michigan University and Colonial Lanes in Ann Arbor have enjoyed a strong boost to their sales.  In Oakland County, the Paradise Park amusement center and Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich., have also welcomed the AAU Junior Olympic Games athletes and families with open arms.

“The AAU Junior Olympic Games is the largest youth multi-sport event in the world.  This event has contributed significantly to the local hospitality industry and, based on estimates in other previous host cities, will generate an estimated $48 million in economic impact,” said Dave Beachnau, executive director of the Detroit Metro Sports Commission that is the Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 AAU Junior Olympic Games.

On the Fast Track
Track & Field competition concluded today with finals in the 3000 meter run; the 100, 200 and 400 meter dash; and the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays.  More than 9,800 athletes including over 1,000 from Michigan tested their speed on the Olds-Marshall Track at Eastern Michigan University’s Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, MI.  AAU track and field meet officials report that 1,677 heats and flights were held at EMU during the eight days of competition from July 26 to today.

It was a great meets with lots of action and activity,I hope more  families consider AAU as their Championship Destination.

Until Next Time..

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