TheOlympicStandard:
May 5, 2012 by admin
Filed under FokaiAthletics, Onra
TheBigIdea is Now GlobalPhenomenon
by:NealKranz
Editor’s note: This weekly column looks at the global phenomenon of multi-country, multi-sport events or Games and their wide-ranging effect on the world of sport and beyond.
The vision of organizing a multi-country, multi-sport event in different locations every four years became a reality more than 100 years ago with the staging of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
Since that time the idea has spread across the globe and numerous organizations have taken to staging their own versions of “The Games,” creating an explosion of opportunities for athletes to compete for their countries.
Yet, where in the world did the driving force and idea behind all of this activity begin? Maybe not quite where you would think.
If you said Greece, you were at least on the right continent, but a little east of correct. The idea of staging a multi-county, multi-sport event came from the studies of a French aristocrat by the name of Pierre de Coubertin. As a young man he traveled to England and saw how the schools there valued a combination of physical education and traditional studies. From there he began thinking of ways to promote the educational and humanistic values he saw developed through sport.
At some point, lightning struck (excuse the Zeus reference) and his mind connected the pageantry, values and power of the ancient Olympic Games with the modern need for a single, repeatable event to promote international sport, and the idea for the modern Olympic Games was born.
It was not easy
Of course, the transition from idea to actual event was not an easy process. Pierre de Coubertin had to convince a lot of people that such an undertaking was worth their time, not to mention money. It may seem ridiculous now, but most people were skeptical that countries would even bother sending athletes to other countries just to play “Games.”
Still, a group of like-minded people joined de Coubertin and formed the International Olympic Committee in 1894 in Paris and began preparing to organize the first modern Olympic Games. When the athletes entered the stadium in Athens, Greece, for the opening ceremonies in 1896, there was no way they could have known the impact they would have on the history of world sport.
Billions of fans
Little more than 100 years later, hundreds of thousands of athletes and billions of fans have taken part in either the Olympic Games or other multi-country Games based on the Olympic format. Billions of dollars are spent annually on the promoting and staging of these Games and they are a great source of international pride for the individuals and countries involved. In short, the Games have become a truly global phenomenon that is still going strong.
With the spectacle of the opening ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympic Games less than 100 days away, it is fitting to pause a moment and consider just how big a single idea can become. Truly amazing.
See you next time, when I will look at the opportunities and challenges the spread of various types of “Games” has brought about.
Neal Kranz has been a teacher, athlete and coach on Guam for more than 20 years. He competed at the 1996 Olympics in wrestling and has a master’s degree in Olympic sports organization management.
PurebredJiujitsu:Alive&Kicking
September 21, 2011 by admin
Filed under Familia, FokaiAthletics, Special Forces
Theres is nothing a good day of grappling cant cure!
Jiujitsu is very much alive on Guam. Heres a look into picture day for Guam’s pioneer Jiujitsu Academy…Purebred/LloydIrvinJiujitsu!
Gold:Basket13N144E
August 16, 2010 by admin
Filed under FokaiAthletics
2010 Micronesian Games Mens Basketball Gold Medalists! On behalf of the Guam Mens National Basketball Team, THANKS FOKAI for your continuous support in our efforts to represent our island! These Fokai Polos are SICK! Next up…SPG Gold, New Caledonia 2011!
FokaiBowlingLeague!
May 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under FokaiAthletics
Good Morning Roman,
I am writing to you to let you know the stats of the FOKAI BOWLING LEAGUE down in orote point lanes on Thursday. The FBL team is currently standing at 3rd place. By next week though the team standing will move to 2nd because of last nights bowling scores.
LAST WEEKS TEAM STANDINGS
PLACE: 3rd
POINTS WON: 23
POINTS LOST: 17
TEAM AVE: 600
HDCP: 159
PINS PLUS HANDICAP: 23220
SCRATCH PINS: 18660
HIGH SCRATCH 10: 718
HIGH SCRATCH 30: 2012
HIGH HDCP 10: 892
HIGH HDCP 30: 2476
*BELOW IS THE STATS FOR EACH PLAYER FOR 05/06/2010.
JESUS CRUZ
AVE: 156
HDCP: 35
TOTAL SCORE: 472
CARMEN REYES
AVE: 131
HDCP: 55
TOTAL SCORE: 441
MARY CRUZ
AVE: 153
HDCP: 37
VICTOR REYES
AVE: 160
HDCP: 32
TOTAL SCORE: 502
DAVID REYES
AVE: 177
HDCP: 18
ERIC PINAULA
AVE: 171
HDCP: 23
TOTAL SCORE: 513
.
Thank-You,
Mary R. Cruz
FokaiPaintball
October 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under FokaiAthletics
http://www.myspace.com/fokaipaintball
SinceEverSince:SilverBullets
August 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Familia, FokaiAthletics
GuamBasketRevisited
July 6, 2009 by admin
Filed under Events, FokaiAthletics
Sk8THeD8Again!
June 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under FokaiAthletics, Special Forces
Youth celebrate ‘Go Skateboarding Day’ at Dededo Skate park
“Cheesebread” performs a trick Sunday, June 21, 2009 during the “Game of Fokai” competition portion of the Skate the Date: A Go Skateboarding Day Event at Santa Barbara Skate Park in Dededo. Photos by Matt Weiss
ededo Skate Park.
According to SK8 Guam president Jon Jose, despite being on Fathers Day, nearly 50 competitors showed up to battle in two events for bragging rights and prizes. “Everyone enjoyed themselves and everyone who participated walked away with some sort of prize,” Jose told the Variety. “It stayed true to the spirit of ‘Go Skateboarding Day.’ The love of skateboarding made the event a success.”
To start the competition, youth skaters tested their luck in the Poker Run, which was a free-for-all event where skaters had to hit five spots around the skatepark area. After skating for 10 minutes at each spot, each skater was awarded a playing card from a full deck. After the fifth spot the skaters gathered their cards and turned them in to see who had the best poker hand.
Mario Espinosa had the best luck and took the win with a three of a kind aces.
“The event was intended to even out the playing field, due to the fact that this event required no skill. It also gave those who never won a skateboarding event, a chance to actually win,” said Jose.
Later in the night, skaters jumped back into ‘the grind’ to battle in the Game of Fokai, to the satisfaction of the nearly one-hundred spectators watching anxiously on from the surrounding fence. Unlike the first event, skill was a necessary prerequisite for competitors.
Proceeding a heated battle between the youth tricksters, Josh Mills was crowned ‘king of the park’ after using a variety of heel-flip variations to earn the win.
Jon Sumbang used a combination of of shuvit and pressure flip-tricks to take the second spot.
Jon Sumbang pulls off an Aerial-flip Sunday, June 21, 2009 during the “Game of Fokai” competition portion of the Skate the Date Go Skateboarding Event at Santa Barbara Skate Park in Dededo. Sumbang captured 2nd place.
Third place went to Julio Canovas.
Along with SK8 Guam, the following companies joined forces to make the event possible: DV8 Boardshop, DNA Evolution, Fokai Industries, Monster Energy Drink, In4mation, Vans, Darkstar, Enjoi, Almost, Globe, Toy Machine, Foundation, The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Dededo Mayor’s Office.
“This was our sixth event of 2009, and there are more to come,” emphasized Jose. “We are looking at doing more events that are aimed at educating the public about skateboarding, and the positive things that can come out of it.”
SK8 Guam’s main mission is to positively promote skateboarding on Guam, as well as increase the skill level of the skateboarders on island.
“We plan to do this by continuing to throw contests and clinics.” explained Jose. “We are also working on bringing professional skateboarders to do demos and workshops. Another goal is to send our local skateboarders off-island to compete.”
To join SK8 Guam, visit DV8 Boardshop in Tumon. Membership includes a T-shirt, a 10% discount at DNA Evolution and its affiliated stores, and discount for all competition fees. Members will also receive email reminders about all upcoming events.
FokaiReportByPaulBlas:Sk8TheD8
June 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under FokaiAthletics
Sk8TheD8:FKIandDV8
June 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under FokaiAthletics, FokaiMotorsports, Special Forces
