With thousands of athletes coming to central Iowa to compete in the Summer Iowa Games in July, there will be many reasons why an athlete might decide to participate in the Iowa Games.

Different athletes have different reasons why they choose to take part in the event.

The Iowa Games is an Olympic-style event that is the most well-known event that the Iowa Sports Foundation runs.

Since the Iowa Games hosts youth events along with adult events, many young athletes get an opportunity to compete along with their peers in the Iowa Games at an early age.

“I competed in the Summer Iowa Games, because I wanted to get my first taste of competition,” youth disc-golfer Trey Shannon of Webster City said.

The first Iowa Games occurred in 1987, which means some athletes competed in the Iowa Games when they were a kid and compete now as an adult.

“I’ve been playing in table tennis tournaments since I was 14, and I’ve been playing in the Iowa Games every year since I was in the junior event,” Ankeny native and University of Iowa student Dylan Garland said.

Ames and other cities in Story County play host to most of the events in the Summer Iowa Games, which draws some Iowa State students and faculty to participate.

“I love to play Badminton, and the Iowa Games is a good opportunity to play some competitive badminton,” said John Anderson, retired Iowa State communications employee.

“A few weeks ago, I participated in the Iowa Senior Games for the first time, and I got a silver medal in Badminton with John, and I’m very proud,” said Ling Cai, Iowa State senior lecturer in world languages and cultures.

“I talked her into playing with me at the Iowa Games,” Anderson said.

Some of the athletes in the Iowa Games are returning competitors, however, there are some new competitors in the Iowa Games each year.

With a wide variety of events for athletes to participate in, the athletes have the opportunity to compete in multiple events if they choose to do so.

“I typically do the triathlon, but I decided to try a couple different events. I’m training for a modern pentathlon, and this event gave me the opportunity to do swimming and fencing, which are two of the events in the modern pentathlon,” Des Moines native Cindy Maguire said.

These are just some of the many reasons why thousands of athletes of all ages and abilities choose to participate in the Iowa Games, along with the other events and initiatives that the Iowa Sports Foundation runs year in and year out.