CFSM Press Releases

GOVERNOR BUSH ANNOUNCES POLK COUNTY TO HOST 2007-2008 SUNSHINE STATE GAMES

6/14/2006 -

6/15/2007 - Sunshine State Games 6/9/2007 - Sunshine State Games

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: RUSSELL SCHWEISS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2006 (850) 488-5394 or

SCOTT OPENSHAW

(850) 487-2568

GOVERNOR BUSH ANNOUNCES POLK COUNTY TO HOST 2007-2008 SUNSHINE STATE GAMES

~Thousands of athletes and their families travel to participate in the annual sports competition~

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today announced Florida’s Olympic-style Sports Festival, the Sunshine State Games, will return to Polk County, “Destination of Champions,” for the 2007 and 2008 Summer Games. The Florida Sports Foundation and Polk County Sports Marketing will present the annual event for Florida’s finest amateur athletes. Thousands of athletes and their families travel to participate in the annual sports competition, making the Sunshine State Games an economic boon for the communities that host them.

"The Sunshine State Games provide an ideal opportunity for Florida's amateur athletes to participate in a wide array of sports while promoting sportsmanship, fitness, and the spirit of competition," said Governor Bush. "The Games also afford our talented amateur athletes of all ages an arena to refine their athletic talents prior to national and international competitions while making new friends in the process."

The Sunshine State Games are part of the National Congress of State Games that boasts competition in 32 state games throughout the nation. Polk County hosted the Sunshine State Games competition from 2000-2003. Polk County Sports Marketing also worked with the FSF to present the 2001 and 2002 Florida Senior Games State Championships in Lakeland and surrounding communities.

Polk County’s Lakeland Center, anchored by the 10,000 seat Jenkins Arena and 100,000 square feet of sports venue space, will serve as the major hub of the 2007 and 2008 Sunshine State Games. Other facilities planned for use in the area include Joker Marchant Stadium and Tigertown, the Auburndale Softball Complex, Florida Southern College, Webber College and Polk Community College. The Lakeland Center will be home to the Games’ headquarters, athlete check-in and will have an interactive games area for athletes, their families and spectators.

"Polk County is proud to bring this tremendous event back to our community and not only showcase our first class venues, but host Florida’s finest athletes in our area,” said Mark Jackson, Polk County Director of Tourism and Sports Marketing. “The Sunshine State Games is a premiere event in the state of Florida and we are honored to be selected as the host for the next two years. We are committed to providing the coaches, athletes and their families a first-class experience.”

Some of the more recognizable athletes from Florida who have made their way to Olympic competition through the Sunshine State Games include boxing champions Roy Jones, Jr. and Antonio Tarver, Olympic swimmers Ryan Lochte, Nicole Haislett, Nancy Hogshead, and Brooke Bennett and track & field record holder Justin Gatlin.

Previous Sunshine State Games sites include:

1980-82 Gainesville

1983-84 Orlando

1985-86 Tampa

1987 St. Petersburg/Clearwater

1988 Jacksonville

1989 Gainesville

1990 Miami

1991 Bradenton

1992 West Palm Beach

1993-94 Tallahassee

1995-96 Gainesville

1997-98 Kissimmee/St. Cloud

1999 Tampa

2000 Lakeland (spring); Gainesville (summer)

2001 Lakeland (spring); Orlando (summer)

2002 Lakeland (spring); Palm Beach County (summer)

2003 Lakeland (spring); Tampa Bay area (summer)

2004 Tallahassee

2005 Broward County

2006 Miami-Dade County

2007-08 Polk County

This year’s Summer Games will be held June 15-18 in Miami Dade County with approximately 6,000 athletes competing in 25 sports. Other single sport festivals are held throughout the summer such as the Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships, Inline Hockey Championships, Sport Shooting Championships and Slow Pitch Softball Championships.

Overseen by the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the Florida Sports Foundation was founded in 1992 as the state's lead organization in promoting and developing both amateur and professional sports. For more information about the Florida Sports

Foundation and the Sunshine State Games, please visit www.flasports.com or call (850) 488-8347.