Obama Joins Team USA to Encourage Millions of Youngsters to be Active in 2012

Written by: Staff on 15th May 2012

Obama Joins Team USA to Encourage Millions of Youngsters to be Active in 2012

epa02907036 US First Lady Michelle Obama waves with a group of children as their image is put on a large screen during a changeover as Andy Roddick of the US plays Rafael Nadal of Spain during their Quarterfinals round match on the twelfth day of the 2011 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA 09 September 2011. The US Open has been extended due to weather for the fourth year in a row and the men's final will now be played on 12 September 2011. EPA/JASON SZENES |

First Lady Michelle Obama joined U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and London hopefuls to announce a nationwide commitment to get more than 1.7 million American children active as part of her Let’s Move! initiative to solve the problem of childhood obesity in a generation.

Through commitments to the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), U.S. Paralympics, the U.S. Olympians Association, and USOC National Governing Bodies for sport, including US Tennis Association, USA Cycling/USA BMX, USA Soccer, USA Swimming, USA Track & Field, , USA Field Hockey and USA Volleyball, these organizations will provide beginner athletic programming to more than 1.7 million kids in 2012. PHA has also created a website, www.ahealthieramerica.org/olympics, to help families find affiliated sports programs in their area.

Obama, who will lead the Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London this summer, is working to turn the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games into action by getting more kids healthy and active.

“We’re incredibly honored to have Mrs. Obama join us in Dallas to celebrate the accomplishments of America’s finest athletes and announce new ways we can all work together to increase access to sport for young children,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “The Let’s Move! initiative is an important one and something the entire Olympic family in the United States is eager to support.”

“Through our ongoing relationship with Mrs. Obama and her Let’s Move! initiative, the USTA supports active and healthier lifestyles for children with our 10 and Under Tennis events, Kid’s Tennis Clubs and Play Days that are taking place in local communities across America,” said Jon Vegosen, Chairman of the Board and President, United States Tennis Association.

The US Tennis Association (USTA) will introduce 620,000 youth to tennis by training 4,000 physical education professionals in the “10 & Under Tennis” curriculum. USTA will also expand its National Junior Tennis and Learning Network (NJTL) to reach 100,000 youth through local partner sites. Additionally, USTA will involve 30,000 youth in Kids Tennis Clubs that provide afterschool and summer programming in communities across the country. In all, USTA will reach 750,000 new kids this year.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Healthier America, keeping America active, Kid’s Tennis Clubs, Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Olympian, Usta