Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro encourages junior high school students to participate in Italian International Olympic Program
20 children from across the Country to be selected; tryouts to be held in New York
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today encouraged the Borough’s 11, 12, and 13-year-olds of Italian descent to try out for a sports program run by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). Those selected would travel to Italy, all expenses paid, to compete in competitions in swimming and track and field sponsored by CONI.
“This is truly a great opportunity for young athletes to experience a new culture and display their athletic abilities,” Molinaro said. “I encourage all eligible children to attend the tryouts being held in New York City, and I am hopeful that Staten Island will be represented at the games.”
CONI has made it their mission to help eradicate childhood obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle through local, regional, and international events that bring children together in the name of sports and teamwork. This program has been in place for several years in countries with large Italian populations, such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Venezuela, and now can count the United States as a participant. Tryouts are underway in the United States to select 20 children for the teams, with Chicago and Los Angeles also hosting tryouts.
Children selected for the program will travel to Italy May 14 through May 23, with all expenses paid by CONI. Set times of each day will be dedicated to schoolwork, as children from our area may miss instructional time. Children will also be escorted to local cultural attractions for educational tours in between their sports competitions. Round-the-clock supervision will be provided by CONI while the children are under their care. Parents wishing to accompany their children to Italy may do so at their own expense.
Tryouts will be held on May 2, 2010. Swimming tryouts are from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. at the Flushing Meadows pool in Queens. Track tryouts are from 10 a.m.- noon at Forest Park, also in Queens. To qualify for either the swimming or track teams, children must be between 11 and 13 years old and have at least one grandparent of Italian descent, though children of all ethnicities and backgrounds are welcome at the tryouts for a day of fun and camaraderie with their peers. Children must also have athletic talent in their selected area, and be of good character in the community and able to work as a team. CONI is also seeking one female track and field coach to complete its coaching delegation.
For more information on volunteering, or to pre-register your child for tryouts, please visit www.ConiUSA.com.
April 21, 2010