Kids Play International brings U.S. Olympians and NFL Football Players to Celebrate
“Fair Play in Every Way” Olympic Day events
Rwanda, Africa
Kigali and Gatagara, Rwanda – From June 22- 27, 2017 the spirit of the Olympic Movement, via Kids Play International, will roll into Rwanda with nine (9) U.S. celebrity athletes to celebrate Olympic Day and the power of sport for all!
Through an International Sports Programming Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and in partnership with the Rwandan National Olympian Sports Committee (RNOSC), Rwandan and American Olympians are uniting to engage in a week of “Fair Play in Every Way” Olympic sport and gender equality activities and events in both the capital city of Kigali as well as KPI’s program site in rural Gatagara, Rwanda.
Our celebrity athlete delegation consists of the following inspiring athletes:
Ibtihaj Muhammad (2016 Bronze Medalist, Fencing)
Nick Goepper (2014 Bronze Medalist, U.S. Freeskiing/Slopestyle)
Faye Gulini (2010, 2014 Olympian, U.S. Snowboarding, Bordercross)
Jerry Attaochu (NFL player for the LA Chargers and Walter Peyton Nominee)
Marcus Roberson (NFL player for the Houston Texans)
Jerious Norwood (Former NFL Football player for the Atlanta Falcons)
Cameron Myler (1988, 1992, 1994, 1998 Olympian, U.S. Luge)
Tracy Evans (1994,1998, 2002 Olympian, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team/Aerials, Founder of Kids Play International)
Anne Poulin (NCAA and Professional Soccer Player and Coach).
Schedule of Events Overview
23 June: Kick off our “Fair Play in Every Way” Olympic Week events at Amahoro Olympic Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda: Press Conference followed by a Friendly Soccer Game
23 June VIP Welcome Reception – Gathering to talk more Olympic Week activities at the Marriott Hotel in Kigali
24 June: Olympian Community Project Day at KPI’s program site in Gatagara
25 June: 2017 “Fair Play in Every Way” Olympic Day Celebration from 11am- 3pm at KPI’s program site in Gatagara
26 June: U.S. Olympian School Visit and KPI’s Let’s Play Fair program sports clinic at KPI’s program site in Gatagara
27 June: Coffee and Conversation at U.S. Ambassadors Residence in Kigali, Rwanda. Round table and Olympian Panel discussion on Sport and Gender Equality.
In Attendance:
All events and activities will be attended by some or all of the following: KPI U.S. Athlete delegation, U.S. Embassy officials, high ranking Rwandan officials from government and local ministries, Rwandan Olympians, Rwandan National Olympic Committee President other committee members, local and international NGO’s (Action Aid, USAID, UNICEF, UNHRC) and more.
Media
KPI’s activities and events will include coverage by the Olympic Channel and local Rwandan media broadcast, radio and newspaper outlets. Additionally, KPI has a U.S. reporter embedded with the delegation who will be writing articles about the activities and events as we go.
This will be a week of sharing how sport and the Olympic Values are a powerful catalyst for social change.
“I am excited to travel to Rwanda to take part in Kids Play International’s Olympic Week activities! This is a wonderful opportunity to inspire Rwandan youth through the power of sport,” said Ibtihaj Muhammad, 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist, U.S.A. Fencing.
“I know the ways that sports have changed my life and made me the person that I am; I can’t wait to share that with the Rwandan youth during Kids Play International’s Olympic Week” said Jerry Attaochu, NFL player for the LA Chargers.
Our “Fair Play in Every Way” Olympic Week exchange events are one of more than 2,000 events taking place nationwide during the month of June. The events, designed to engage youth and promote the ideals of the Olympic movement, feature athlete appearances, family-friendly activities and interactive learning experiences.
Around the world, more than 160 countries take part in the annual celebration. Olympic Day, created in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games, focuses on the Olympic values and ideals such as fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship. In the U.S., Olympic Day events range from small gatherings to large, city-wide events.
KPI’s celebrations, activities and events are made possible through the generous support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
