Olympics Back With A Bang

Photos and story by Zachary BrazillerAs over 2.300 youngsters marched down Merrick Boulevard, across 108th Avenue, and up to 160th Street, a woman looked outside her window, and screeched, "Thats the way its supposed to be!"
That was the general feeling all day as the second bi-annual Southeast Queens Junior Olympics began play Saturday afternoon. The festivities began with a mile-and-a-half parade led by the Color Guard and the Youth Naval Group. Each sport was represented with their own banners, while Serena and Aaron Warner, both competing in track and field, carried the torch to York College, flanked by the games president and creator, Allan G. Pope, and Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, along with several public officials in attendance. As the throng approached York College for opening ceremonies they were applauded by passing cars honking in approval.
The First Panamanian Drum and Bugle Corps of Brooklyn, which highlighted the back-end of the parade with military marching band tunes, began the ceremonies with "Countryman," a samba song from Brazil.
Soon after, the musical group Serenity led the throng in singing the national anthem and black national anthem, which was followed by Popes opening remarks.
He spoke of the games proclaiming that "Our community is interested in the future of our youth," and the hope that they may see a future star like Carl Lewis, Michael Jordan or Willie Mays. More importantly though, Pope noted, the games serve as a way to promote southeast Queens.
Assemblyman William Scarborough, who was with Pope at Jeans Restaurant in 2001 in St. Albans when Pope brought up the idea for the games, discussed the improvements of this years games.
"Weve given Queens something thats going to grow and blossom," praised Scarborough. "Its only going to get bigger and better. My heart is full because I think that this is the beginning of a wonderful event for southeast Queens, not only for this year, but for years to come."
The President of York College, Dr. Robert Hampton, spoke glowingly about the need for York College to work with the community for improvements in the area, and he welcomed everyone to the school. Deputy Mayor Walcott expressed his pride as a southeastern Queens native on the day of the games, and presented Mayor Michael Bloombergs proclamation, naming the week of August 7-14 as Southeast Queens Junior Olympics Week in New York City. Borough President Helen Marshall was also on hand to offer another proclamation, calling Saturday, August 7 Southeast Queens Junior Olympics Day in the borough.
"It gives these young people inspiration to be all they can be," praised Marshall. "If they can have strong healthy bodies they can have strong, healthy minds." The borough president also gave credit to Pope for his hard work, while thanking her colleagues who attended the games. The gala ended with a performance from the Precise Step Team.
Contestants were just as proud to be a part of the games as the organizers were to have produced them.
"This makes younger people want to be like us when they get older, and it makes older people proud of us," said Clarence Philbert, 11, a soccer player. "Were representing Queens. You never know what you could have here."
Toure Abdul, 16, a native of France, newly in the country, was in awe of the days events.
"It was exciting. Ive never been a part of a team or something like this. It was nice to see the people who came out during the parade."
Shortly thereafter, contestants were off to their respective sports. Tennis was played nearby at York College, while track and field held their preliminary heats at Roy Wilkins Park, with many fans and parents in attendance. Basketball, meanwhile, packed the York College gymnasium with early-round play that had Pope happily surprised with the number of attendees in the bleachers. Baseball began play at Cambria Fields, while swimming and soccer began Sunday at York College and Campus Magnet High School, respectively.
The general feeling on this day was of pride for the area, an understanding of how important athletics are for our children, and, as one St. Albans resident noted, the Southeast Queens Junior Olympics personifies what is right about Queens, and what sports for youngsters should be all about.
Though New York City did not raise its terror level, since it has been on high alert since the September 11 attacks, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly responded with the deployment of police to the named targets, one being Citigroup in Long Island City, to the citys trains and subways, and to bridges and tunnels heading to Manhattan. Kelly also said more plainclothes officers would be patrolling these locations.
A released statement from NYPD also urged corporate and institutional security directors to review their security systems and parking installations. The statement also told security at private institutions to be vigilant of trespassers, loiterers and unexpected deliveries.
The presence of NYPD at the Citigroup building at Court Square One in Long Island City was noticeable Monday morning, while workers trickled into their offices, despite the high-risk warning. Only one entrance was available to employees, and security checked all employees identifications and searched bags.
Built in 1989 and encompassing 1.4 million square feet, the financial institution houses 4,800, making it the largest private sector employer in Queens. In July, Mayor Bloomberg and Citigroup announced plans to build a 14-story, 475,000-square-foot building in Long Island City to hold an additional 1,500 employees. Calls to Citigroup were not returned.
Councilman Eric Gioia, whose district encompasses the Citigroup building, said he felt safer knowing NYPD was on the case. "New York has the best police officers in the world and I have faith that these brave men and women will do all that they can to keep our families, neighborhoods and cities safe," he told The Queens Courier. "During uncertain times, I am happy to know that we can rely on the hardworking members of the 108th and 114th Precinct who are on the lines protecting our community."
A representative from Olympic Glove and Safety and Guardline Fire Safety, two companies that handle homeland security products and have contracts with state police and repair equipment for NYPD and ConEdison, noted that they have received a barrage of calls since the announcement, some of which have come from the private sector.
"There has been an incredible influx of orders for gas masks and things of that nature," said Josh Goldstein, vice president of Olympic and president of Guardline. "Even before the alert, just the idea that we had a convention coming here changed a lot. What tends to happen is when the alert gets raised, the private sector starts getting involved. The recent events plus the upcoming convention are making everybody very, very aware."
Goldstein went on to say that residents in many affluent communities in Queens, including Malba, Whitestone, Bayside Gables, Howard Beach, Forest Hills, Belle Harbor and Neponsit, are frantically calling in orders. "We have been besieged with rush orders for gas masks, chemical protection suits, respiratory equipment, goggles and gloves. People are especially concerned with their children and are especially pleased with the fact that every item is available for children as well as adults."
With a heightened threat level, Councilman Peter Vallone, chair of the City Councils Public Safety Committee, used the opportunity to criticize the low amount of federal funding the city received for homeland security and its police.
"How many more terrorist plots against this area have to be discovered before the federal government stops playing pork-barrel politics and starts protecting us?" he told The Queens Courier. "However, despite this fact, the NYPD under Ray Kelly is as prepared as possible."