The 2008 Olympics are coming to Bloomingdale. Sandy Johnson, Ellen Manjarrez, Jo Witucki, Rebecca Defrancesco, Lacey Smith and other Bloomingdale Park District staffers have devised Olympic events for athletes of all ages and abilities.

At 7 p.m. Monday, June 30, Olympians will march into Circle Park, 163 Fairfield Way. Mayor Bob Iden will carry the Bloomingdale Olympic torch alongside Park Commissioner Mike Vogl and two Bloomingdale athletes.

When Iden proclaims, “Let the games begin,” the Jesse White Tumblers will entertain the opening-ceremony crowd followed by music from a disc jockey.

Throughout the summer, Bloomingdale Park District residents will undertake Olympic competitions.

The first event — a tricycle rodeo — will occur on Wednesday, July 2, at Erickson School, 269 Springfield Drive.

Athletes ages 3 to 5 will compete in a 25-yard race and obstacle course. All Olympians must wear a helmet.

Olympians ages 10 to 15 can compete in a triathlon on Sunday, July 13, at Circle Park.
After swimming 50 yards, biking a mile and running a half mile, prizes will be awarded to the first three winners in each age category.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, equestrian excitement will occur at Circle Park. Athletes, ages 3 to 5, will compete on stick horses. This is a Kodak moment. Be sure to invite grandma and grandpa.

On Tuesday, July 22, “mature” Olympians can compete in an indoor shuffleboard tournament at the Johnston Recreation Center, 172 S. Circle Ave. And, on Monday, Aug. 11, mature swimmers can freestyle, breaststroke or kickboard their way across the Oasis pool at the Johnson Recreation Center.

For Olympians in between tricycles and shuffleboard, there will be a basketball shoot out at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Springfield Park, 269 Springfield Drive. Olympians must be at least 14 years old Inter-generational events are also available.
On Wednesday, July 30, there will be a parent/child tennis match at Lakeview Park, 240 Broker Road.

Five is the minimum age for this event. Parents can enter with multiple partners. The winning team will be the one that hits the ball over the net the most times in succession.

At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, intergenerational water fun will begin at the Oasis pool. Parents (or responsible adults) of 4- to 8-year-olds will be in the water assisting young Olympians in a paddle-boat race.

In addition, there will be traditional Olympic events such as track and field, gymnastics and soccer.

To register, call (630) 529-3650. Kudos to Sandy Johnson and her staff for organizing a summer full of Olympic-sized family fun.