Games set for July 18

Observer Staff

7/14/2003 12:00:00 AM

The 16th Annual Michigan Indian Family Olympics is scheduled for July 18 at Mt. Pleasant High School's Community Memorial Stadium.

Athletes must register by July 9 to participate.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. on July 18 and opening ceremonies are slated for 9:30 a.m. Because a variety of events take place at the same times throughout the day, athletes need to listen to the announcer and be in their designated area when each competition begins. No race will be re-run unless otherwise announced by the Family Olympics Committee. Coordinators from each Tribal community are responsible for their athletes. Exact times for the races will depend on the number of heats per event. The tentative schedule is as follows:

The softball throw (age five and up), 400M Dash (13-15, 16-18, 19-30, 31-40) and baby crawl begin at 10 a.m. The 10M tot trot for one-to-two-year-olds and the 20M trot for three-to-four-year-olds is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Also at that time is the 50M dash (5-6, 7-9, 10-12, 51-up) and the running long jump (13-15, 16-18, 19-30, 31-40, 41-up).

Starting at 10:30 a.m. is the jump rope competition (5-6, 7-9, 10-12) and the 200M dash (13-15, 16-18, 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-up). The pre/post natal 400M walk, 400M walk (51-up) and 1600M walk (13-15, 16-18, 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-up) begin at 11 a.m.

Lunch is scheduled between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m.

Activities start up again at 1 p.m. with the bean bag toss (4 and under), the 100M dash (5-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18, 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-up) and the football throw (5 and up). The 800M dash (13-15, 16-18, 19-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-up) and standing broad jump (5-6, 7-9, 10-12) will start at 2 p.m.

The 800M walk (31-40, 41-50, 51-up) will take place at 2:30 p.m. followed by the team tug-o-war at 3:30 p.m. The awards presentation is scheduled for 4 p.m. followed by closing ceremonies.

Entry forms can be returned to: Nimkee Fitness Center, Attn: Family Olympics, 2591 S. Leaton Road, Mt. Pleasant, MI, 48858. For more information call, (989) 775-4694 or (989) 775-4690.