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1997 World Scholar-Athlete Games

Date:
The second World Games took place from June 22-July 2, 1997

Location:
The University of Rhode Island and Newport, RI, USA

Mission:

To promote understanding, acceptance and friendship among the youth of the world;

To establish open, non-political, long-standing relationships among tomorrow's world leaders;

To utilize sports and the arts as means of communication and learning rather than competition among nations;

To identify and train young people to develop leadership skills and networking strategies as they pursue positions of leadership in government, education and other professional fields.

Concept:
There are no national teams at the Games. Instead, all scholar-athletes are divided into ethnically- and culturally-diverse groups that take part in either athletic competition or cultural pursuits. For example, a soccer team or writing group may be comprised of individuals from 10 or more countries.

Participants:
2,000 scholar-athletes ages 16-19

Countries:
148 countries and all 50 states

Athletic Events:
Basketball, sailing, soccer, swimming, tennis doubles, track, volleyball

Cultural Events:
Art, choir, dance, symphony, theater, writing and poetry

Theme Days:
Theme Days serve as a forum for all participants to discuss issues of national importance with small groups of their peers. Keynote addresses on each topic are given by nationally known experts. The Theme Day topics are:

"Global Conflict Resolution"
"Global Environment"
"Ethics and Sportsmanship"
"World Health"
"World Hunger and Nutrition"

Guest Speakers Included:
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe - Director, Arthur Ashe Endowment for the Defeat of AIDS
Bob Cousy - former NBA coach and player
Paul Michael Glaser - actor, founded the Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Bill Hybl - former United States Olympic Committee President
John Naber - 1976 Olympic swimmer
Billy Packer - CBS Sports Broadcaster
Joan Benoit Samuelson - Gold medallist, first women's Olympic marathon in 1984 Games
Sinjin Smith - Professional Beach Volleyball player
Rose Styron - poet, journalist, and human rights activist

Special Events:

Opening Ceremonies featured the Beach Boys.

United Nations Day.

Family Day & Peace Run.

Closing Ceremonies featured John Cafferty.

Phone: 1-800-447-9889

(401) 874-2375

Fax: (401) 874-2429

E-Mail: info@internationalsport.com

Institute for International Sport c/o International Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame
The Feinstein Building, University of Rhode Island
3045 Kingstown Road, P.O. Box 1710
Kingston, Rhode Island 02881-1710