The arrival of the 2008 Sunflower State games signals a renewal of a showcase event.
It’s the subject for tonight’s “On the Mark”.
For the next three weekends, Topeka and Northeast Kansas will be putting its reputation on the line in trying to insure that every participating athlete has the kind of experience that will continue to make the event grow. With more than six thousand people expected to take part, the games take on a bit of a measuring stick for how things are going. And, there’s some challenges.
The high price of a gallon of gasoline, for one, is hurting teams who planned to travel long distances to come in.. What we’ve learned from our coverage in the past is that the Sunflower State Games is really “super-sized” intramurals.
In no other place will you find such a variety of age groups and skill levels finding a common bond in sharing the experience of competition.
And in this case, it’s the emphasis on participation rather than the performance that far outweigh the gold medals earned.
That makes the Sunflower State Games special. Everyone’s genuine enthusiasm for this event is why Topeka is the ideal host city for this event. Let’s look forward to the next three weekends… with a reminder for everyone to do their part… even if it’s nothing more than to extend a friendly hello. That’s “On the Mark”.