Flashback to 35 Years Ago: The 1989 AAU Junior Olympic Games
03/14/2024
The 1989 Games took place in San Antonio and included a young Shaquille O'Neal
SAN ANTONIO (March 14, 2024) -- In the summer of 1989, more than 5,000 young athletes congregated in San Antonio for the 23rd AAU Junior Olympic Games.
One of those athletes happened to be a 6-foot-11, future NBA Hall of Famer -- Shaquille O'Neal. Even then, Shaq was a star in his own right and he took home a gold medal with his San Antonio All Stars team.
Over on the baseball diamond, another young athlete was beginning to make his mark -- future 14-time MLB All Star Alex Rodriguez.
The event brought in $20 million in economic impact to the San Antonio area and featured 14 different sports: baseball, basketball, biathlon, field hockey, gymnastics, karate, soccer, swimming, synchronized swimming, table tennis, track and field, multi events, weightlifting and wrestling.
In a testimonial quote found in an AAU program from the 90s, Bill Hanson, the Executive Director of San Antonio Sports Foundation at the time, said "the 1989 AAU Junior Olympic Games was, by far, the best move made by San Antonio in its game plan to be a major sports city. The event gave us badly needed experience in conducting multi-event competitions."
San Antonio Sports is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and found the above photos for a flashback in time.
One of those athletes happened to be a 6-foot-11, future NBA Hall of Famer -- Shaquille O'Neal. Even then, Shaq was a star in his own right and he took home a gold medal with his San Antonio All Stars team.
Over on the baseball diamond, another young athlete was beginning to make his mark -- future 14-time MLB All Star Alex Rodriguez.
The event brought in $20 million in economic impact to the San Antonio area and featured 14 different sports: baseball, basketball, biathlon, field hockey, gymnastics, karate, soccer, swimming, synchronized swimming, table tennis, track and field, multi events, weightlifting and wrestling.
In a testimonial quote found in an AAU program from the 90s, Bill Hanson, the Executive Director of San Antonio Sports Foundation at the time, said "the 1989 AAU Junior Olympic Games was, by far, the best move made by San Antonio in its game plan to be a major sports city. The event gave us badly needed experience in conducting multi-event competitions."
San Antonio Sports is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and found the above photos for a flashback in time.
