Photo: Catch Des Moines/AAU
(Des Moines, IA) -- More than 14,000 young athletes, coaches, and family members are in Des Moines this week from all over the U-S to compete in the A-A-U Junior Olympics. Competitions are being held at nearly a dozen venues in Des Moines and surrounding suburbs. Local organizers estimate the event has $44 million impact on the local area.
"We are thrilled to welcome back the AAU Junior Olympic Games to Greater Des Moines and forge a relationship for this next decade,” said Catch Des Moines President and CEO Greg Edwards. “Bringing in more than 14,000 youth athletes, in addition to coaches, parents, and fans has huge impact to our community and state. The athletes get to compete at an iconic venue like Drake Stadium in addition to the brand-new MidAmerican RecPlex."
It's the seventh time that Greater Des Moines has hosted the Games, with the first time being in 1995 and the most recent in 2018. Edwards notes that this is one of the largest and most impactful events that Catch Des Moines brings into the metro.
The 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games will host sports competitions in events such as baton twirling, fencing, field hockey, jump rope, karate, sport stacking, swimming, taekwondo, track and field, trampoline and tumbling, and boys and girls wrestling.
“We’re thrilled to bring the AAU Junior Olympic Games back to Des Moines,” said AAU President and CEO Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan. “Des Moines has the experience that we can count on to run a successful event, creating once-in-a-lifetime participation opportunities for youth athletes across the country. As our event has grown over the years, it’s been exciting to see Greater Des Moines grow as a region as well, offering not only the venues to host, but the amenities and things to do that make coming back such a fun experience for our athletes, coaches and families.”
Catch Des Moines is encouraging volunteers to help with the games, to learn more click HERE.