Those Iowans who wish to experience Olympic-style competition close to home need to look no further than Ames.

During the next two weekends, Ames will be the host for the Iowa Games, an annual, multisport festival of Olympic-style competition for Iowa’s amateur athletes.

“The Iowa Games are Olympic-style games that offer any competition at any skill level,” said Nick May, assistant director of sports and operations for the Iowa Games.

The purpose of the Iowa Games is to provide Iowa citizens with the opportunity for positive personal development through sports and physical activity.

May said the Games have grown since they began in 1987.

“In 1987, we offered 16 sports, in which 7,100 athletes participated. Last year, we offered 45 sports and had 18,700 athletes participate,” May said.

Kevin Bourke, director of sports and operations for the Iowa Games, said New York was the first state to initiate a program of this nature called The Empire Games, which were held for the first time in August, 1978, at Syracuse University.

Bourke said the concept spread quickly, and the National Congress of State Games was created to help develop similar programs in other states. The Empire Games has been the prototype for nearly 40 programs across the nation.

“Gov. Branstad directed the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to look into adopting a system similar to the Empire Games in 1985,” Bourke said. “The Iowa Sports Foundation was founded, and two years later, we had the first Games.”

This year, there will be 46 sporting events. Bourke said badminton is the only new sport this year, and roller hockey is returning after a year’s absence.

He said there are at least two sports which are adding divisions to increase competition: Softball is adding an age division, and best shot golf is adding a two-person tournament. A four-person best shot golf tournament already exists.

Bourke said anyone who is an Iowa resident for at least 30 days immediately prior to the first day of competition is eligible to participate in the Iowa Games. He said nonresident students attending Iowa schools or military personnel living in Iowa just prior to the Games are also eligible.

The Iowa Games begins Friday with 41 different events. Another seven events will be held the following weekend starting July 23.