Youth Games bring teams, families to city More than 800 children will participate in

More than 800 young athletes from around the country will flood Columbia next week to see which city can take home the most medals.

The 40th annual U.S. Youth Games heads to Columbia July 19-22.

The participants in the Olympic-style competition are children aged 9-15 who tried out in various athletic and academic events in their respective cities.

This year's competition includes events that will test both the body and mind. Among the featured sports are basketball, volleyball, flag football and swimming. The games also include an academic quiz bowl and a chess tournament.

This is the third time since 1994 that Columbia has played host to the games.

That year, Eau Claire High School basketball standout Jermaine O'Neal, who is now an NBA all-star, participated in the games.

"That's a memory of an experience that lives on into their senior years," said Allison Baker, assistant city manager for public services.

City officials stressed that not every child who tries out for these teams has Olympic-caliber talent.

"These are just regular kids who want to do something with their summer," said Kim Mitchell, the event's coordinator.

Of the 15 cities participating, six are S.C. cities. Participants outside of South Carolina include Newark, N.J., Birmingham, Ala., and Los Angeles.

City event planners are expecting about 850 participants -- including parents, coaches and city officials -- to arrive around July 18.

The athletes and coaches will be housed on USC's campus. The families that accompany them will stay in local hotels.

It's the influx of supporters for the games that city officials said will help boost tourism and local business.

"Obviously there's national recognition and an economic impact by bringing 1,000 people into the city," Baker said.