Monday, 2nd August 2004
International Childrens Games 2004 - Cleveland OH
On July 30, 2004, history was made as Cleveland becomes the inaugural United States host city for the International Children's Games.
Endorsed by the International Olympic Committee, the Games was a global gathering that promoted peace and fostered cultural exchange. The games was held in July 29th through August 2nd of 2004 in Cleveland, Ohio USA.
More then 2000 Athletes from 50 countries competed in the following sports:
Baseball
Basketball
Gymnastics
Soccer
Swimming
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Water Polo
The Venues were
John Carroll University
Gymnastics, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field
Case Western Reserve University
Volleyball, Water Polo
Cleveland State University
Basketball, Swimming
Forest Hill Baseball Park
Baseball
Shaker Heights High School
Beachwood Tennis Courts
Brush High School
Tennis
My Experience during the event
Since i was in cleveland at that time i got an opportunity to watch some of the events of the games, especially the ones hosted at CSU. I saw the basketball events and swimming events. I desperately wanted to see the waterpolo events but could not (i tried) becoz i didn't know the bus to CWRU and since most buses were running as special buses (for athletes etc) and i couldn't board those i was left in the lurch.
These games were huge. President Bush had come to inaugrate and John Kerry wasn't to be far behind. Understandably with an intl meet of this magnitude security was omni-present and i saw snipers on every building near the venues.
As far as competition went, i was really impressed with these kids (aged b/w 12-15). The times some of them clocked in the swimming events ... most swimmers aged 20+ from where i come would be hard-pressed to match. And the basketball matches were real good. Unfortunately i was unable to see the waterpolo events but fron the results i see that teams from Hungary won Gold and Bronze while an Austrian team took silver. I always knew waterpolo in Hungary was very good. My aspirations of playing polo here in US grew everymoment i was watching the games. Sadly when i enquired if CSU has a waterpolo team i was told that they didn't but they have a very good swimming team and a good swimming pool (see pic below).
So thatz how my experience with the games went. My arrival in Cleveland coincided with the games and it was an interesting experience.
Pictures from International Childrens Games 2004
City of Cleveland
Cleveland Logo
Swimming Pool at CSU
Waterpolo Images from the Games
more information on the games go to
http://www.cleveland.com/games
http://www.childrens-games.org
http://www.csuohio.edu/childrens_games
Posted by Nikhil on Monday, 2nd August 2004 in Sport | Events