The Rocky Mountain State Games (RMSG) is a multi-sport festival for Colorado citizens of all ages and athletic abilities including physically disabled, visually impaired and Paralympic athletes, and will be held on July 20-22 & 27-29. The 2012 RMSG will offer competition in 34 sports, including: 5K Run/Walk, Aquathlon, Archery, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Billiards, BMX, Bowling, Cycling, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Flag Football, Gymnastics, Karate, Powerlifting, Racquetball, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. Competition will take place along the Front Range with venues including the U.S. Olympic Training Center, U.S. Air Force Academy, Memorial Park, Fort Carson, Colorado College and other venues in Colorado Springs.
A Downtown Olympic Celebration will be July 27, from 4-10 p.m., to celebrate the start of the 2012 Olympic Games with a free party in front of the USOC headquarters building at the corner of Colorado and Tejon Avenues. Watch the London Games Opening Ceremony on a giant screen. Skate on synthetic “ice.” Play tennis in the middle of the street. Watch BMX and aerialists do amazing tricks. Olympians (and husband and wife) Bret Hedican and Kristi Yamaguchi will light the local torch. Country star Rodney Atkins will perform for free at the event! Music, fun and fireworks - you won’t want to miss this!
Also on July 27, at America the Beautiful Park from 3:30-5:30 p.m., will be our city’s attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Gathering of People Wearing Swim Caps. The current record of 2,049 people was set on January 1, 2012, in Tybee Island, Georgia. We are striving for 5,000 people! The first 5,000 people to arrive will get a swim cap and other giveaways and be part of the official attempt; and KILO will be doing a live broadcast on site from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Participation is open to everyone! Anyone participating in the record attempt is invited to join in the Parade of Athletes that will take place immediately after the attempt from America the Beautiful Park to downtown!
Our city’s annual Mountain Festival will be August 2, from 12-8 p.m., at America the Beautiful Park. This free family event features diverse performers, artisans, craftsman, activities, experiences, food and fun, celebrating culture and diversity! Special recognition will be given to our Waldo Canyon heroes from both stages all day long, while the authentic Japanese cultural activities, interactive dance, song culminating in a FujiKaen Taiko Drumming performance are not to be missed. Other events will be held all week long, through August 11. This year is even more special because it marks the 50th anniversary of the sister cities Colorado Springs and Fujiyoshida!
The second USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be August 20-26. This competitive bike race starts in Durango, CO, passes through 12 cities and 9 mountain passes over 7 days, finishing in Denver, CO. The Challenge is divided into seven stages, one for each day of the race, and Stage 5 is passing from Breckenridge through Colorado Springs on August 24. A daunting 10 mile climb up Hoosier Pass to 11,500 feet makes for a rude awakening, but if the racers can make it over that, they have a good chance to go for a stage win. After the single summit of the day and a fast descent into Fairplay, the high mountains are left behind. Descending into Woodland Park, the racers may hit their fastest speeds of the week at the downhill Sprint Line, then continue downhill to Colorado Springs through the shadow of Pikes Peak. A technical uphill run through Garden of the Gods Park lets the cyclists revisit the roads of last year’s prologue before finishing with high-speed circuits through downtown Colorado Springs.
Dozens of other events will be held all summer long throughout Colorado Springs, and can be found on the springsgov.com website! Enjoy!
