The International Children's Games (ICG) is an International Olympic Committee-sanctioned event held every year where children from cities around the world and between the ages of 12 and 15 participate in a variety of sports and cultural activities. In 2004, Cleveland became the first US city to host the ICG.
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has kept the spirit of youthful international sports competition with the annual Continental Cup.
The Continental Cup is now in its 10th year and the 2015 event had 3300 athletes from 11 countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Mongolia, China, Bermuda, Colombia, Canada, Brazil, Greece and Nepal. The Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival is the premier internationally-driven youth sports event in the United States and features competitions in three sports (soccer, basketball, baseball).
As you will see in this video of David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, in the 10 year history of the Continental Cup, over 25,000 athletes from 37 countries have participated and pumped in almost $30 million into Cleveland's economy. 
David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
David Gilbert
One of the highlights of the Continental Cup is the Opening Ceremony. Thousands of athletes march in behind their nation's flag. The athletes wear their team uniforms and many carry flags and signs. It is very much like the Parade of Athletes at the opening of the Olympic Games. See 4 pages of video and photos from the Parade of Athletes.
There are also food trucks, photo opportunities, music, fun and games and fireworks!
Ahmad Crump of the Cleveland Cavaliers
Ahmad Crump of the Cleveland Cavaliers served as MC and the band Trusting Obscurity performed the US National Anthem at the Opening Ceremony.
Dr. Paul Saluan with Cleveland Clinic Sports Health is also a board member of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. He spoke and welcomed the crowd at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Continental Cup.
Dr. Paul Saluan with Cleveland Clinic Sports Health
Trina Dobberstein, Ph.D. Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students of Baldwin Wallace University, welcomed the crowd to the school at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Continental Cup put on by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. She spoke of the statue of Harrison Dillard on the Baldwin Wallace campus. Dillard won 4 Olympic Gold medals and was a big proponent of competition.
Trina Dobberstein, Ph.D.
The Opening Ceremony included games such as when 2 of the athletes did 5 bat spins and ran a race for a prize (Cleveland Indians Carlos Santana autographed baseball).
Another highlight was the Mascot Race. Several team mascots lined up to race including Ketchup, Mustard and Onion from the Cleveland Indians, Sandy the Shark from the Cleveland Aquarium and Stomper from the Lake Erie Crushers. As they were racing, Slider from the Cleveland Indians jumped in and knocked Ketchup down so Mustard went on to win the race.
Balls and t-shirts were tossed into the crowd at the opening ceremony.
Along with the music from the band Trusting Obscurity there were performances by St Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church Dancers and Tam Tam Magic drummers and dancers from West Africa. Photos and videos of the entertainment.
3 athletes, representing the 3 sports of baseball, basketball and soccer, took the Athlete's Oath at the Opening Ceremony. One in English, one in Nepali and one in Chinese. Then they lit the torch, the band played and the fireworks began. Let the Games Begin!
Continental Cup Athlete's Oath - English
Continental Cup Athlete's Oath - Nepali
Continental Cup Athlete's Oath - Chinese
Lighting the torch
Happy 10th birthday Continental Cup
Main 2015 Continental Cup page (this page)
Entertainment - Greek, African and Trusting Obscurity
Athletes and Teams Photo Page
Page 1 of the Parade of Athletes
Page 2 of the Parade of Athletes
Page 3 of the Parade of Athletes
Page 4 of the Parade of Athletes
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