Team Cleveland Brings Home Bronze

Team Cleveland brings home a Bronze medal from the 2013 Winter International Children’s Games in Ufa, Russia

Ten athletes from the greater Cleveland competed in the 6th Winter International Children’s Games in Ufa, Russia from February 28 through March 2, 2013. Team Cleveland consisted of 6 alpine skiers who competed in giant slalom and ski cross, and 4 nordic skiers who competed in a 3.5km classic race, a 3.5 km freestyle (skate) race, a team relay race, and a ski orienteering sprint race. Twenty one countries were represented at the games with Russia fielding the most teams at 31. (In addition to Cleveland, the United States sent a team of 2 ice skaters from Chesterfield, VA.)

Even though Team Cleveland’s alpine skiers had never competed in ski cross before, Chloe Richards, of Bath Township, won the bronze medal!

“We would like to thank David Gilbert and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission for their support of Team Cleveland’s participation at the Winter International Children’s Games,” stated Thomas Cook, head of Cleveland’s delegation. “This was a once in a lifetime experience for our athletes. They were able to compete in their chosen discipline on a world stage while cultivating cross border friendships and navigating a new culture. The trip was a huge success.”

Listed by name, school and hometown, the youth that attended were:

• Gautam Apte, Shaker Heights Middle School, Shaker Heights
• Zachary Kremer, Holy Family Catholic School, Cuyahoga Falls
• Chloe Richards, Hathaway Brown, Bath Township
• Ethan Richards, Saint Hilary, Bath Township
• Will Schneider, Ruffing Montessori School, Cleveland Heights
• Sears Schulz, Hawken School, Moreland Hills
• Henley Schulz, Hawken School, Moreland Hills
• Anna Vergon, Rocky River Middle School, Rocky River
• Colin Wadsworth, Avon Lake Learwood Middle School, Avon Lake
• Gwen Wright, Roxboro Middle School, Cleveland Heights

All of the Nordic skiers on Team Cleveland are members of the Ohio Nordic Ski Club and its children’s racing program -- Hilltoppers XC. Three members of Team Cleveland are also members of the Lewis Ski Club. And, three members of Team Cleveland race for the Holimont Ski Team.

Editors Note:  Also see this article in the NASA Glenn AeroSpace Frontiers Publication (pg. 5).

About the International Children’s Games

The International Children’s Games (ICG) are an International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctioned event. Children from cities around the world between the ages of 12 and 15 participate in a variety of winter sports. The aim of the ICG is to promote peace and friendship among the world’s youth through a focus on sports. The first International Children’s Games were held in Slovenia in 1968. Cleveland was selected to host the Summer International Children’s Games in 2004. For more information, visit http://icg-ufa2013.com/eng.

About the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission prides itself on being one of the most distinguished and active sports commissions in the country, effectively leveraging sports events and activities to further economic development in Northeast Ohio. The philosophy of the sports commission sets it apart from others by operating as an economic and community development organization utilizing sports as a vehicle to forward other community agendas. The organization takes the unique approach of becoming a management and financial partner for each event with the goal of producing events that are more successful in Cleveland. Since 2000, the Cleveland Sports Commission has been responsible for attracting over 125 sporting events, contributing to more than $385 million in local economic activity. For more information, visit www.clevelandsports.org.