The 2009 State Games of North Carolina, which are often described as North Carolina's Olympic Games, will be held in Charlotte from June 19-28.

The State Games, North Carolina's largest multi-sport, amateur athletic sporting event, are an Olympic-style sports festival designed to promote personal development through physical fitness and health. In most cases, competition is arranged by age and skill level to ensure that the events are fun and fair. The 2009 State Games are projected to have an economic impact of between $4 million and $5 million.

"The State Games of North Carolina offer participants a challenging, fun way to compete and improve their physical fitness and overall health," says Chuck Hobgood, president of North Carolina Amateur Sports. "We invite residents of North and South Carolina to participate in or volunteer with this year's State Games, which promise to be our largest and most exciting to date."

All residents of North Carolina, including military personnel and college students, are eligible to enter the State Games provided they have lived in the state for 30 days prior to the first day of competition. Additionally, in 2009 the games are open to South Carolina residents for the first time. Registration is now open for the 2009 games, and those interested in participating are encouraged to register online at http://www.ncsports.org.

Organized and hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports, a 501c(3) nonprofit charitable organization, the State Games of North Carolina is a 23-sport, Olympic-style festival designed to promote personal development through physical fitness and health. The State Games of North Carolina are the largest sports festival in the state and one of the oldest and largest State Games in the nation. Additionally, the games are projected to be the largest event held in Charlotte during the summer of 2009. The games' alumni list includes Trot Nixon (Cleveland Indians), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Wendy Palmer (Seattle Storm), Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers), Greg Ellis (Dallas Cowboys), Jerry Stackhouse (Dallas Mavericks) and David Fox
(1996 US Olympian).

North Carolina Amateur Sports is a 501c(3) nonprofit charitable organization that annually organizes the State Games of North Carolina, Cycle North Carolina and the Be Active Challenge. NCAS is dedicated to the promotion of the spirit of amateur sports, physical fitness and health to all ages and skill levels through the participation in organized events which enrich the state of North Carolina. For more information on NCAS and its events, please access www.ncsports.org.