July 29 – August 7, 2023, marks the two-year anniversary since the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympic Games kicked off in Houston for the 3rd time since 2012!
The AAU JO Games is the largest national multi-sport event for the youth in the country, bringing in over 15,000 athletes and 11,000 spectators to the city. Houston had an action-packed, 11-day competition that brought together communities and served as a catalyst for future athlete success across the nation. The Games consisted of Track & Field, Multi-Events, Swimming, Field Hockey, Jump Rope, Baton Twirling, Trampoline & Tumbling, Karate, Taekwondo, Sport Stacking, and Pickleball. Now that sounds like a party!
2021 was a special year as it marked the 55th anniversary of the AAU JO Games. Along with this exciting anniversary, 2021 also introduced a new out-of-this-world addition to the team, Cosmo. Cosmo the astronaut became the official 2021 AAU Junior Olympic mascot for “Space City”! He exemplified the Junior Olympic athletes’ limitless talents by being hardworking, team-oriented, and motivated.
This year also featured the first-ever wheelchair exhibition race in partnership between the Sports Authority Foundation (SAF) and TIRR Memorial Hermann Adapted Sports Program. TIRR Memorial Hermann Adapted Sports & Recreation’s mission is to offer youth and adults with physical disabilities an outlet to continue playing sports. This partnership and exposure helped raise community awareness about disability inclusion in sports, which continues to be a mission of the Sports Authority Foundation.
Along with the positive community impact, the AAU JO Games has brought over $50 million in economic value per year to Houston and the host cities before it. Each year the AAU JO Games continue to grow, bringing more athletes, spectators, and buzz to the host cities. With Houston dominating the sports industry as one of the premier sports destinations in the nation, the HCHSA is thrilled that the AAU Junior Olympic Games will return to Houston in 2025, 2027, and 2031.
Fun Fact: With these additional dates, Houston will have hosted the AAU Junior Olympic Games for the second-most times in history!
