• Monday-What'sUP March 7 - 08:52 am

With all the talk of the Olympics taking place in Italy lately, we here in the Keweenaw are fortunate to be watching our own games, that of the 2006 Junior Olympics. This athletic competition is being hosted at the Michigan Tech Trails and is comprised of Sprints, Freestyle, Classic and Relay races, all taking place this week, ending on Saturday, March 11th. The Opening Ceremonies were held over the weekend with a Torch Lighting Ceremony, accompanied by a Parade of Athletes. There are still a number of exciting race events taking place for the remainder of the week. If you're not able to be here for the action, you can still enjoy the exhilaration of watching it in person, by viewing a DVD of the event. Ordering information can be found on this link: Solex Media Productions. Our thanks to Matthew Monte for supplying us with the information and pictures.

Please tell...from where do the athletes come from to be in these Junior Olympics?
Congrat's to all.

How old are these olympians?

Looks like they have a great time!

Super fun for the dead of winter.

Who won the Calumet/Hancock Hockey game?

I remember as a young boy my Aunt taking me and my cousins to help out at a Special Olympics at Notre Dame. It had to be a long time ago because I remember her putting all five of us in the back of her truck and driving us across town without worrying about a ticket. I remember helping with the racquetball event, and watching a basketball game between Indiana and Kentucky Special Olympians. What I remember most is how happy everyone was to be there and participating, and how real the sportsmanship was and how I came away from that event knowing I should strive to be more like these athletes than Bobby Knight who had just thrown a chair at some referees during an exhibition game with the Soviets.

What a stroke of genius to have Ed Harjala light the flame. On Channel 6 this morning he was interviewed and said he has been skiing since the age of 13. He is now 84. At Swedetown a couple of years ago he went skating past me (I do classic XC) at about 30 feet a stride. Amazing. what a great role model for those young people! And an example of how individual sports can truly add to fitness all one's life.

First off, Hancock won the hockey game over Calumet.
The junior olympics are held every year in a different place in the U.S. This year it is at the Michigan Tech ski trails. The kids are anywhere from 14 to 19 years of age and will be skiing all week.
The city of Houghton is even in on the fun with a Luge run down one of the streets heading towards the canal.

Nate, I see the articles above about Junior Olympics not the Special Olympics that you describe.

Was I surprised to see my dad on your photo of the day!
I knew he was going to be the torchbearer for the Jr. Olympics,
but didn't expect to see him in action (from way down here in
Tennessee!). What a blessing, thanks!

They could not have found a better role model for our young kids than Ed Harjala, perfect choice.

Eddy, Yeah, I realize that now that I read it again. Just chalk that one up to old age I guess. But I guess that's my only real experience with any sort of olympics.

Hey, it's great that the Jr. Olympics will be in Houghton. What a great place for them, and hopefully it will spawn new Keweenaw lovers.

As for Special Olympics: absolutely nothing greater. My sister participated many times. She has severe physical as well as mental disabilities. But she was in an event where she could shine. She was so proud, as we were of her.

god bless all the wonderful people associated with Copper Country Mental Health!

Maija--

Which event did your sister participate in?
Doing the best that you can do is what all real
achievement is about. Good for your sister!

Maija, The kids that participate in the Special Olymipics are truly special. I was in the local grocery store when one Special Olympian came in Beaming that he had one a medal. Everyone in the store just cheered for him and grinned ear to ear. That young man was so proud!!! Rightly so.
It made me feel good that he shared that with all of us, strangers or not.

Free online game solitaire
spider