After taking the action outdoors due to the pandemic, the Colgate Women’s Games have come back to their indoor roots for their 49th season. Girls ages 6 and up and women are getting their race on at the Nike Track & Field Center at the Armory in Washington Heights, one of the premier tracks in the world. Registration began last month and the preliminary meets commence on Dec. 29.
The Games enable participating athletes to win more than 100 educational scholarships awarded by long-time title sponsor Colgate-Palmolive. Events include the 55-, 200-, and 400-meter dashes; 55-meter hurdles; and 800- and 1,500-meter runs, as well as field events such as the high jump.
Coach Fred Thompson, founder of the Atoms Track Club, founded the Colgate Women’s Games to provide girls the much-needed opportunity to compete and be seen as highly competitive athletes. Brooklyn-born Cheryl Toussaint, 1972 Olympic silver medalist in the 4×400 relay, is the meet director.
“From my own personal experience and seeing the many lives that [they’ve] changed, the Games provide the opportunity to compete and learn how to compete and also be empowered by the whole process,” said Toussaint. “Every year, there are new groups of young ladies who come through, looking for that opportunity.”
Toussaint said the benefits of sport are critical, especially for the youngest competitors, who are learning discipline, focus, self-awareness, confidence, and other qualities that will benefit them in their education and lives.
“It’s a developmental program that starts at the grassroots level,” said Toussaint. “It helps support the future Olympic stars (double Olympic gold medalist Athing Mu competed at age 15). It has to start at some point, and I feel that Colgate Women’s Games is that point. I see it every time new faces come through the door. Many of them have not had experience in the sport or organized competition, and you see them learning how to compete and how to persevere. It’s so critically important, especially for girls and women.”
There will be a registration session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Pratt Institute. “It’s not too late; competition doesn’t start until Dec. 29 at the Armory,” said Toussaint. “We’re happy to be back inside at a premier track facility.”
Registration is now open. For information, go to colgatewomensgames.com.
