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Parkour

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:59:18 +0000

Parkour — l’art du déplacement, or translated, the art of moving — is a physical discipline of French origin in which participants try to overcome physical obstacles as quickly as they can. Running, climbing, jumping, and landing all play a role as traceurs, practitioners of Parkour, move as if in an emergency situation. Frequently practiced in an urban environment, the goal is to get from Point A to Point B using only your body, creativity and the objects in your immediate environment. This fitness discipline is designed to build strength, agility, endurance and confidence.

Parkour has been featured in a James Bond movie and parodied on The Office — watch Michael, Andy and Dwight in the video below. Several Parkour clips on YouTube have enjoyed millions of viewers and participation is on the rise.

Parkour Visions, based in Seattle, is a non-profit organization that is using the discipline to reach 500 at-risk youth. By teaching them Parkour, the hope is that they’ll improve their self-esteem and fitness by “transforming their everyday world into an epic playscape.”

“Parkour is unique in that it can practiced anywhere with no equipment required,” notes Tyson Cecka, Executive Director at Parkou Visions, “It has the potential to transform any forgotten space into a playground, a gym, or even a stage. That can be extremely powerful for kids who have not much else to do.”

You can support Parkour Visions through a cool website called Global Giving.

ENJOY THIS VIDEO (but, don’t try this at home)

Parkour on The Office

The Visionary behind Special Olympics: Eunice Kennedy Shriver

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:25:41 +0000

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died on August 11 after suffering a series of strokes the past year. A sister of President John F. Kennedy and of two senators, she’ll be remembered most, and justifiably so, as the founder of Special Olympics and as a champion for those with intellectual disabilities.

At a time when people with intellectual disabilities were treated as second-class citizens and often institutionalized, Shriver, more than anyone, worked hard to change peoples’ perceptions. She shared her beliefs that with the right support structure, most developmentally disabled people could lead productive lives. She also believed they could deal with the emotional highs and lows of athletic competition.

Inspired by her sister Rosemary who was developmentally challenged, Shriver organized the first Special Olympics to showcase the abilities of the mentally disabled in 1968. An athlete herself, she understood that sports would bring friendship, character-building and self-worth qualities to competitors. The first event was held at Soldier Field in Chicago. About 1,000 contestants competed representing 26 states and Canada.

According to an article in the Washington Post,

“The Special Olympics has become the world’s largest year-round sports program for mentally disabled children and adults. More than 2.5 million athletes in 180 countries take part in competitions each year. Contestants work through local and regional meets toward the World Special Olympics, held every two years.”

President Obama noted that Shriver will be remembered, “as a champion for people with intellectual disabilities, and as an extraordinary woman who, as much as anyone, taught our nation, and our world, that no physical or mental barrier can restrain the power of the human spirit.”

Get Involved:

www.SpecialOlympics.com

Special Olympics commercial:

NBC News report:

Nike investing up to $650,000 in organizations that give back to communities via sports

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:25:18 +0000

Non-profits and schools that provide programming that encourages young people to create a better life through sports have the opportunity to win an award from Nike. The award amounts are $2,500 and $5,000 in cash or sporting goods. To find out more details, nominate an organization or vote for your favorite, go to: www.NikeBackYourBlock.com. Hurry, the deadline for applications is August 24, 2009.

Nike’s Video on the program:

Patrick Henry Hughes — An Inspirational Story (2006)

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:52:22 +0000

Patrick Henry Hughes was born blind and without the ability to straighten his arms or legs, confining him to a wheelchair. Patrick was also born with musical talent. He started playing the piano at 9 months. He also plays the trumpet and sings. With help from his father (Patrick John Hughes), he participated in the University of Louisville School of Music Marching and Pep Bands. His father maneuvered his wheel chair through the formations with the other 220+ members of the band.

Patrick focuses on his what he can do and not on what he can’t. His book I Am Potential is available from his website: http://www.patrickhenryhughes.com/index.html

ENJOY THIS VIDEO

National Sportsmanship Day to be Celebrated Tomorrow

admin — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:41:46 +0000

National Sportsmanship Day was founded by Institute for International Sport Executive Director Dan Doyle in 1990 after attending a high school basketball game. In the game, one of the coaches instructed a player who was not fouled to take two free throw attempts because he was the better free throw shooter. The player made both shots and his team went on to win. Later, Mr. Doyle ran into the coach who had made the switch. The coach expressed remorse for his action at this game. A discussion ensued and both men realized that in all of the coaching clinics and classes that they had attended through the years, the concept of sportsmanship had never been discussed in detail.

Mr. Doyle reflected on this lost opportunity and set about coming up with a concept to bring sportsmanship awareness to a higher level on a national scale. With the help of senators from his native Rhode Island, Mr. Doyle and others led a 6 month research effort to assess the level of sportsmanship at schools across the country. Based on the research, the Institute that Mr. Doyle founded initiated a series of educational programs promoting sportsmanship via schools and communities.

According to the Institute’s web site, “Since its founding in 1990, National Sportsmanship Day has been celebrated in tens of thousands of schools, not only in the United States but throughout the world, and by millions of students, teachers, coaches and parents.” Their programs are “now considered by most to be the largest and most effective sportsmanship initiative in the United States, if not the world.”

Objectives of National Sportsmanship Day:

To designate a special day each year during which thousands of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and parents would engage in thoughtful and reasoned discussion about the role of sportsmanship.
To provide participating schools, clubs, and other athletic organizations with a number of tips on how to successfully celebrate the day. At the core of this important objective is the Institute’s belief that good discussion is fatal to bad sportsmanship, a belief that has been confirmed since watching the many positive results generated by schools who actively participate in National Sportsmanship Day.
To make participation in National Sportsmanship Day an anchor event which fosters good sportsmanship on a year-round basis.

For more on National Sportsmanship Day, check out this web site: National Sportsmanship Day web site: www.internationalsport.com/NSD/index.cfm