When some 10,000 athletes arrive in Colorado Springs from 46 states for the August 2-5 State Games of America, it marks another big step for an event that is growing and becoming more popular across the nation.

A property of the National Congress of State Games, this will be the fifth edition of the nation's largest Olympic-style multi-sport festival for athletes of all ages and skill levels, from kids, through elite prep and college athletes, to seniors who passionately adhere to a fitness and healthy lifestyle mission.

Take this week's example, for instance. The Games gained a registration from a set of 10-year-old quadruplets from Plano, Texas, swimmers Christopher, Maria, Patrick and Teresa Yienger. The four kids, who will swim in the United States Olympic Committee's state-of-the-art aquatics center, are entered in a total of 30 events, including several where they will swim against each other. Swimming entries are already at 504, and three sessions of five are closed to additional registrations.

Also registering was a family of five divers who will compete at Colorado College's Schlessman Natatorium. Mom Jerolyn Webb of Avondale, Arizona, will bring along kids Chris (16), Angelica (14), Jonathon (13) and Andrew (9) to go for medals in nine events.

Already signed in are 83 soccer teams with 1328 players who will run, kick and shoot at the United States Air Force Academy, and 406 track and field athletes (700 are expected), who get to compete at the Academy's high-altitude facility where back-to-back world records were set in the 100 meters in 1983 by Olympians Evelyn Ashford and Calvin Smith.

With some 6,000 registrations already in, the next month will see a steady flow of Colorado athletes choosing a sport to go for medals. Over 100 Colorado cities and towns will send athletes to the Games to mingle with some 4,000 athletes from other states who have won medals in their respective state games in the last two years, or in the 2005 State Games of America. It will create a beneficial impact on the local economy, too, with a total of 25,000 people (athletes and families) in the city, filling up hotels and motels, restaurants and visiting attractions.

Athletes can go to: www.stategames.org, then click on the State Games of America logo for complete registration information, lodging and accommodations information, ticket details and much more.

The 2005 event, also held in Colorado Springs, attracted a record 9,462 athletes from around the nation. The 2009 event is also ticketed for Colorado Springs, a mecca for more than 50 domestic, international and local sports associations and governing bodies, including the United States Olympic Committee.

The State Games concept was developed in New York in 1978 with the Empire State Games. In 2006, more than 500,000 athletes competed in State Games nationwide. State Games feature various sports of the Olympic and Pan American Games as well as sports that have regional popularity within each state.

Organized and managed by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation again this year, the State Games of America offers competition in 29 sports. The U.S. Air Force Academy will be the primary venue with competition also taking place at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Fort Carson, Colorado Springs World Arena, Colorado College and other venues in the city.

The Opening Ceremony is set for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, at the Colorado Springs World Arena, with a crowd of more than 9,000 on hand.

Athletes will receive free admission to the Opening Ceremony. Spectators can purchase Opening Ceremony tickets, $10 for adults, $5 for youth (18 & under) & seniors (55+) C all 866-464-2626 to purchase tickets or go to www.ticketswest.com. Some 2,000 of 5,000 available tickets for the public have already been purchased.

The 2009 State Games of America will be held again in Colorado Springs. The national event has been held in St. Louis, Missouri (1999, 2001), Hartford, Connecticut (2003) and Colorado Springs, Colorado (2005, 2007). The State Games concept was developed in New York in 1978 with the Empire State Games. In 2006, more than 500,000 athletes competed in one of 49 State Games nationwide. State Games feature various sports of the Olympic and Pan American Games as well as sports with regional popularity within each state.

Nationwide, more than 90 sports are offered each year in State Games with competitions held in 536 communities for participants from over 6,000 cities and towns. Competitions are both recreational and competitive and have been the first step for many Olympic and professional athletes.

Each year nearly 500,000 athletes of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels take part in State Games competitions nationwide. An additional 1.2 million spectators attend State Games events made possible by the work of thousands of coaches, parents, officials, sponsors and more than 100,000 volunteers.

Prominent State Games athletes include Olympians and others: Jeff Blatnick, Ralph Boston, Tracy Caulkins, Calbert Cheaney, Curt Clausen, Diane Dixon, Tom Dolan, Suzy Favor-Hamilton, Dan Gable, Rowdy Gaines, Harvey Glance, Nicole Haislett, Nancy Hogshead, Roy Jones, Adonis Jordan, Nancy Kerrigan, Rusty LaRue, Danny Manning, Henry Marsh, Eric Montross, Chris Mullin, Tab Ramos, Glenn Robinson, Alberto Salazar, Doug Smith, Rex Walters, Lones Wigger, Jr. and Paul Wylie.

1999- St.Louis, Mo. (6193 athletes)

2001- St. Louis, MO (5211 athletes)

2003- Hartford, CT (4881 athletes)

2005- Colorado Springs (9462 athletes)

2007- Colorado Springs (10,000 athletes, est.)

2009- Colorado Springs (12,000 athletes, est.)