Youth games invade Oakland

July 18, 8:00 AMOakland Hills ExaminerDebby Richman

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"Most important...is not to win but to take part."

The United States Youth Games are an Olympics-style event, and they are hosted by the City of Oakland this year.  The opening ceremony took place last night at Woodminster Amphitheater, and 30 separately scheduled events continue through Saturday night.

These annual games attract city kids from around the country, who have a chance to let their talents shine.  This year, attendees come from Birmingham, Alabama; Orange, Newark and Paterson, New Jersey; and locally from Richmond and Oakland.

Regulations are pretty strict.  Participants must be 13-15 years old, and reside within a 10-mile radius of the city they represent.  Kids are only permitted to play one sport, along with the academic bowl if desired.  Each city's team needs to be equally represented by girls and boys.

There's a long history to the games, which were launched by NYC Mayor John Lindsay back in 1967.  The Bay Area served as host five years ago, when San Francisco Mayor Willy Brown welcomed the kids.  Now Oakland is overseeing the games, although local participants have traveled nationally over the years.

The conduct of play is rewarded, and there's even a motto for the kids:

The most important thing in the Youth Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.  The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.  In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Youth Games, respecting and abiding by the rules  which govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, with respect for all of my fellow athletes regardless of background, for the glory of sport and the honor of our cities. Swifter, Higher, Stronger!

Even if you don't have your own kids participating, it's worth showing a little support for our Olympics.  I'm planning to attend a few events, and expect to see pride written all over these kids' faces.  They do everything from double-dutch jump roping to golf, and you can check out the different sporting events below.

Around the Oakland Hills, there's golf at Lake Chabot and tennis down at Davie Stadium.  On Saturday, I'm going to see the boating action at Lake Merritt.  Things wrap up with a four-hour closing ceremony on Saturday, at Lake Merritt's Lakeside Park Garden Center.