(Ames, IA) -- More than 17,000 athletes, coaches, and spectators from 46-states are in central Iowa this weekend to compete in the State Games of America. Cory Kennedy of the Iowa Games says the athletes will compete in 40-sports in more than 30-venues throughout central Iowa, most of those are in the Ames area.
He says the youngest participants are four-year-olds, the oldest are in their 80s.
Opening ceremonies are tonight (Friday) night in Hilton Coliseum on the Iowa State University campus.
The competitions will conclude Sunday.
Kennedy says there are 32-states that have games like the Iowa Games, and send qualifying athletes to the State Games of America.