The opening ceremonies are still a week away but the summer Iowa Games begin this weekend with competition in eight sports on Saturday and Sunday. Iowa Games executive director Jim Hallihan says its the first of three weekends and will include 8 or 9 sports. Hallihan says among the events this weekend is the Midnight Madness road race in Ames on Saturday night, and they will also have girls softball and the triathlon.
Hallihan says the Iowa Games joined forces with Midnight Madness a few years back. Hallihan says the triathlon has had a dramatic increase in competitors in recent years. Hallihan says when he came to the Iowa Games 16 years ago, coed volleyball was the big sport, but it is not as big now and the triathlon in the big draw.
Hallihan is hopeful there will be favorable conditions this weekend, especially next weekend with the opening ceremonies.