Thousands of athletes will be heading to Ames this weekend for the state’s version of the Olympics, the 14th-annual Iowa Games.

“It gives [visitors] a chance to see the hospitality of Ames,” said Jim Hallihan, executive director of the Iowa Games.

The city of Ames has played host to the games every year since they started.

More than 40 sporting events and about 15,000 athletes will be competing in events from basketball to soccer.

The torch-lighting ceremony will be Friday at noon in Des Moines. The Iowa Games’ torch tradition began in 1987 and is intended to mimic the U.S. Olympic Committee’s ceremonies.

“The torch gives the everyday athlete the feeling of being in the Olympics,” Hallihan said.

The games’ official opening ceremonies will begin around 8 p.m. at Jack Trice Stadium.

“Over 2,000 athletes will march into the stadium at the beginning of the ceremony,” Hallihan said.

Hallihan said the torch will be brought into the stadium by the 1999 Iowa Games Female Athlete of the Year, Tesi Dawson.

Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs at Iowa State and an Olympic bronze medalist, will give the opening address.

“[The Iowa Games] represents sports opportunities for young and mature athletes to develop their talents and showcase their ability,” Hill said.

Tiffany Roberts, the other featured speaker of the opening ceremonies, won the gold medal in the 1996 Olympics with the women’s soccer team.

Athletic competition will be Saturday, and the gold medal events will be Sunday.

Competitions will be held at Beyer Hall, Ames High, Ames Middle School and the Towers Residence Association Complex Fields.

Events continue Saturday evening with a family program at the Scheman Building from 7 to midnight.

A dance for teen-agers will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Scheman Building’s courtyard, while the dance for adults will be from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

For complete information on locations and times of all events, check the Iowa Games Web site at www.iowagames.org. For more information, call the main office at 292-3251.