History of the Games
The AAU Junior Olympic Games began 33 years ago at the nation’s capitol, Washington D. C. , with two sports; swimming and track and field. The inaugural games marked the first time in the history of the AAU Youth Sports Program that two national championships were held at the same time.
"There is nothing junior about it" has become the theme of the AAU Junior Olympic Games over the years as the event has blossomed from 523 participating athletes in 1967 to over 14,000 registered participants in 25 sports in 1999. The AAU Junior Olympic Games hope to continue to expand and flourish into the 21st century as the popularity of sport and the attention of the youth in America intensifies.
The AAU Junior Olympic Games are known as the largest national multi-sport event for the youth of America today. It has become the showcase event of the AAU Sports Program. The AAU Junior Olympic Games prides itself with the nation’s most outstanding athletes year in and year out.
The Games popularity has exploded to now represent all 50 states, several United States’ territories, and American citizens on foreign soil. More than 25 different cities have hosted the Games since its beginning. In 1998, the seven-city Hampton Roads region of Virginia, was the site of another highly successful and well-received Games. The AAU Junior Olympic Games returned to its roots in 1999 when Cleveland hosted the 33rd AAU Junior Olympic Games. The AAU conducted the first Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships in Cleveland in 1949, giving rise to the organization's Youth Sports Program. A half-century later, the AAU's signature event is coming home to celebrate a 50-year anniversary. While the sports world continues to grow and change, one thing still remains the same, the AAU's commitment to the youth of America. Sports, for All Forever!
