Founded in 1987, the Street Olympics Summer Games (Summer Games) have grown to be one of the most popular events of the summer. The program was designed to provide organized athletic activity centered around games that young people traditionally play on the streets. These same games were then organized into positive, rewarding Olympic-style competition.
Each year, the Street Olympics prepares for an exciting summer that will allow thousands of Harris County youth to learn new skills while competing in a safe, fun-filled environment. The age groups are as follows:
Division I : 6-8 years old
Division II : 9-11 years old
Division III : 12-13 years old
Division IV : 14-15 years old
To enter the Summer Games, a girl or boy must be between the ages of six and fifteen as of August 3 and registered with one of the sponsoring agencies. For a list of these agencies, call (713) 675-0004.
“This is far more important than 3-on-3 basketball. You must respect and be friendly toward others. No matter what shade skin color, we must learn to get along in our community.”
—Commissioner El Franco Lee, Harris County Precinct One
“I love the competition. We bond together…. I like to get into the game, I block everything else out. I can’t even hear my mom cheer…we play basketball in school; we’re always together…you’ve got to have passion. If you don’t love the sport then don’t play…we do whatever we can to keep our grades up to play our sport.”
—Stephanie Gale, 16; Jessica Elkins, 16; and, Desirae Ramirez, 16. The “Pals of Pasadena” all go to Pasadena Memorial High School. 3-on-3 Girls Division V Winners
“I’m an athlete. I like all sports. I like working as a team in basketball.”
—Le’Osha O’Neil, 16, Willowridge High School
3-on-3 Basketball “We want to keep the kids active and show them a different environment."
—Nathan Jones, coach, Ft. Bend Boys and Girls Club
"I loved hanging out with my peers. It made the summers go by fast."
—Thomas, 17, a Street Olympian since age 6
3-on-3 Basketball “We want to give you an opportunity to have fun, hone your skills and develop teamwork and leadership qualities on- and off-court”
—Brian Rego, Summer Games program director