Olympic champ Henry Cejudo to open State Games of America in Colorado Springs on July 30
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by Mike Moran
Home Grown Olympic Wrestling Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo Will Open 2009 State Games of America On July 30 At The Colorado Springs World Arena
Colorado Springs, April 6, 2009----The 2009 State Games of America in Colorado Springs will be officially opened during the Opening Ceremony on July 30 around 9:00 p.m. by one of America's greatest success stories at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Hometown hero Henry Cejudo, who won his freestyle wrestling gold medal during an inspirational moment for millions of Americans, will complete the Games' torch run by lighting the event's official flame to conclude the opening night festivities at the Colorado Springs World Arena.
The Coronado High product, who won two Colorado state prep titles at the school before entering USA Wrestling's resident athlete program at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, becomes the third celebrity Olympian to open the State Games of America in Colorado Springs.
Greco Roman wrestling gold medalist Rulon Gardner opened the Games in 2005, and World Champion and Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan performed the signature moment at the World Arena in 2007.
"We are thrilled to have Henry Cejudo open the State Games of America and speak to the athletes who will come to Colorado Springs to compete in this unique event," said Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Chairman Dave Palenchar. "He inspired America with his triumph in Beijing, and we know he will inspire the athletes of all ages and skill levels who are in the city for the Games."
Cejudo, the son of undocumented Mexicans, realized his own dream when he defeated Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga to win the 55kg gold medal in Beijing and become the youngest American wrestler ever to win an Olympic championship. "I'm living the American Dream right now," he said after winning the gold medal. "The United States is the land of opportunity. It's the best country in the world and I am just glad to represent the USA."
Tickets for the State Games of America Opening Ceremony (www.ticketswest.com) are priced at $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for seniors and youth. Doors open at 6:00 and the ceremony begins at 7:00.
A record World Arena crowd of 10,007 watched the 2007 Opening Ceremony at the venue, and another sellout is expected to take part in a gala evening featuring music, pageantry, the parade of the athletes by states, and more.
Some 10,000 athletes of all ages and skill levels from 47 states are expected for the State Games of America, the third time that Colorado Springs has hosted the signature event of the National Congress of State Games and the nation's largest multi-sport event for these athletes. A record 10,803 athletes came to the city in 2007, breaking the old mark of 9,482 for the 2005 Games in Colorado Springs. The 2011 event is ticketed for San Diego, California.
Medal winners from almost 40 individual state games and all residents of Colorado are eligible to compete in the event this year, with registration open at www.stategames.org.
There are 31 sports offered on the program at 22 venues across the city, including the United States Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Fort Carson, the World Arena, and The Colorado College.
The State Games concept, a property of the National Congress of State Games, was developed in New York in 1978 with the legendary Empire State Games. In 2008, more than 400,000 athletes competed in State Games nationwide. State Games feature various sports of the Olympic and Pan American Games as well as sports that have regional popularity within each state.
Prominent State Games Alumni include: Jeff Blatnick, Ryan Lochte, Ralph Boston, Mike Mussina, Tracy Caulkins, Billy Hardin, Calbert Cheaney, Curt Clausen, Hayes Jones, Diane Dixon, Tom Dolan, Suzy Favor-Hamilton, Dan Gable, Walter Dix, Rowdy Gaines, Harvey Glance, Nicole Haislett, Nancy Hogshead, Roy Jones, Adonis Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Nancy Kerrigan, Mike Richter, Spencer Haywood, Rusty LaRue, Danny Manning, Henry Marsh, Eric Montross, Rick Hamilton, Chris Mullin, Willye White, Tab Ramos, Vic Wunderle, Glenn Robinson, Alberto Salazar, Lusia Harris-Stewart, Doug Smith, Rex Walters, Lones Wigger, Jr. and Paul Wylie.
Colorado Springs, April 6, 2009----The 2009 State Games of America in Colorado Springs will be officially opened during the Opening Ceremony on July 30 around 9:00 p.m. by one of America's greatest success stories at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Hometown hero Henry Cejudo, who won his freestyle wrestling gold medal during an inspirational moment for millions of Americans, will complete the Games' torch run by lighting the event's official flame to conclude the opening night festivities at the Colorado Springs World Arena.
The Coronado High product, who won two Colorado state prep titles at the school before entering USA Wrestling's resident athlete program at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, becomes the third celebrity Olympian to open the State Games of America in Colorado Springs.
Greco Roman wrestling gold medalist Rulon Gardner opened the Games in 2005, and World Champion and Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan performed the signature moment at the World Arena in 2007.
"We are thrilled to have Henry Cejudo open the State Games of America and speak to the athletes who will come to Colorado Springs to compete in this unique event," said Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Chairman Dave Palenchar. "He inspired America with his triumph in Beijing, and we know he will inspire the athletes of all ages and skill levels who are in the city for the Games."
Cejudo, the son of undocumented Mexicans, realized his own dream when he defeated Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga to win the 55kg gold medal in Beijing and become the youngest American wrestler ever to win an Olympic championship. "I'm living the American Dream right now," he said after winning the gold medal. "The United States is the land of opportunity. It's the best country in the world and I am just glad to represent the USA."
Tickets for the State Games of America Opening Ceremony (www.ticketswest.com) are priced at $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for seniors and youth. Doors open at 6:00 and the ceremony begins at 7:00.
A record World Arena crowd of 10,007 watched the 2007 Opening Ceremony at the venue, and another sellout is expected to take part in a gala evening featuring music, pageantry, the parade of the athletes by states, and more.
Some 10,000 athletes of all ages and skill levels from 47 states are expected for the State Games of America, the third time that Colorado Springs has hosted the signature event of the National Congress of State Games and the nation's largest multi-sport event for these athletes. A record 10,803 athletes came to the city in 2007, breaking the old mark of 9,482 for the 2005 Games in Colorado Springs. The 2011 event is ticketed for San Diego, California.
Medal winners from almost 40 individual state games and all residents of Colorado are eligible to compete in the event this year, with registration open at www.stategames.org.
There are 31 sports offered on the program at 22 venues across the city, including the United States Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Fort Carson, the World Arena, and The Colorado College.
The State Games concept, a property of the National Congress of State Games, was developed in New York in 1978 with the legendary Empire State Games. In 2008, more than 400,000 athletes competed in State Games nationwide. State Games feature various sports of the Olympic and Pan American Games as well as sports that have regional popularity within each state.
Prominent State Games Alumni include: Jeff Blatnick, Ryan Lochte, Ralph Boston, Mike Mussina, Tracy Caulkins, Billy Hardin, Calbert Cheaney, Curt Clausen, Hayes Jones, Diane Dixon, Tom Dolan, Suzy Favor-Hamilton, Dan Gable, Walter Dix, Rowdy Gaines, Harvey Glance, Nicole Haislett, Nancy Hogshead, Roy Jones, Adonis Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Nancy Kerrigan, Mike Richter, Spencer Haywood, Rusty LaRue, Danny Manning, Henry Marsh, Eric Montross, Rick Hamilton, Chris Mullin, Willye White, Tab Ramos, Vic Wunderle, Glenn Robinson, Alberto Salazar, Lusia Harris-Stewart, Doug Smith, Rex Walters, Lones Wigger, Jr. and Paul Wylie.
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