Greater Cleveland Sports Commission 5th Annual Continental Cup John Carroll University July 1-4, 2010
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission hosted its fifth annual Continental Cup, now known as Cleveland Clinic Sports Health International Youth Sports Festival.
This year's event consisted of three sports:
AC Milan Continental Cup (boys and girls soccer);
Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup (boys baseball)
Cleveland Cavaliers Continental Cup (boys and girls basketball).
There are plans next year to add Lacrosse.
Members of the Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team, team mascots and others dance at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Cleveland Clinic Sports Health International Youth Sports Festival
More than 3,500 athletes participated in the games representing twenty countries. In addition to the United States, (which had entries from Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Iowa and Pennsylvania) there were international teams from
Australia
Antigua& Barbuda
Barbados
Bermuda
Brazil
Cameroon
Canada
Colombia
Cyprus
Dominican Republic
India
Kenya
Nigeria
Puerto Rico
Singapore
St. Lucia
United Kingdom
David Gilbert of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Master Sergeant Dana Tagliani of Ohio Air National Guard and Eddie Morrows, Director of Youth Programs of AC Milan welcome the young athletes
Opening ceremonies rivaled the Olympic Games. As the teams marched in, carrying their flags and wearing their uniforms the excitement in the air could not be contained.
Instant friendships were being created with people from across the country and around the world - people who shared a common love and commitment to their sport.
Young athletes from Australia
Barbados
Bermuda
Brazil
Canada
Colombia
Cyprus
India
Kenya
Puerto Rico
St. Lucia
United States
Parade of Athletes - Australia to Canada
Parade of Athletes - Colombia to United States (part 1)
Parade of Athletes - United States Part 2 and the National Anthem
The ceremony took place at Don Shula Stadium at John Carroll University. The stadium seating capacity is forty-one hundred. The stands were full. Add to that the 3,500 athletes and the standing crowd and there were close to ten thousand on hand.
It is estimated that $4 million dollars will be infused into the local economy as a result of these games.
Color Guard
Congratulations to the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission on another fine event, and to all of the athletes, their families and coaches. It is a remarkable experience and each participant should be proud.
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