BASOC at 20 Years

2007 marked BASOC's 20th Anniversary, so it is appropriate to take note of our history as we review the activities of this past year. We can be very proud of our longstanding allegiance to the goals, tenets, values and aspirations of the Olympic Movement. We have remained true to our ultimate goal of hosting an Olympic Games by promoting amateur sports, youth fitness, lifetime wellness and major national and international sporting events. We have operated with integrity and transparency, with never a hint of financial or operational controversy. And we have much to look forward to; the best is yet to come.

As we diligently prepare for our largest event ever, the 2009 National Senior Games, our Bay Area Senior Games II brought together 550 athletes 50 and older, competing in nine sports, to Stanford University last March. Another 450 softball players participated in our May tournament, for a total of 1,000 contestants. We're learning the special intricacies and needs of these athletes in order to be ready for more than 12,000 of them in August, 2009. Plan now to watch or volunteer this year at Bay Area Senior Games III on March 15, 16 at Stanford.

Ending the year we hosted the World Junior Table Tennis Championships in December. We were especially pleased to do so for the first time ever in the U.S. and North America. The 2nd most popular sport in the world (1st is soccer), it was a thrilling competition that enjoyed significant media coverage and earned the kudos of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). With 4,000 fans present for Finals, the largest crowd ever for a World Juniors, ITTF officials were aglow at the energy and enthusiasm for their sport.

The U.S. Olympic Committee recognized our longevity in naming us a Founding Member of their Community Partners Program. BASOC is honored to help welcome the Beijing Olympic Torch when it visits San Francisco and North America on April 8th. We will assist the San Jose Sports Authority as it facilitates with the U.S. Olympic Committee the official Team Departure Center at San Jose State for our U.S. athletes on their way to China this summer. We will end the year with our traditional Welcome Home Olympians Dinner on October 1st at the Sheraton Palace hotel in San Francisco, in tribute to competitors from Torino 2006 and Beijing 2008.

Thank you for your ongoing support and membership in BASOC. With your help we will continue to inspire athletes and residents of all ages to live more healthy lives through exercise and diet. And we will seek to instill in our youngsters the life lessons learned in sport and competition - teamwork, self respect, mutual respect, fair play, discipline and setting goals. Your renewal membership form is enclosed.

To quote the Olympic Charter, in our 21st year of existence we renew our dedication to promoting a better and more peaceful world through sport: "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

Sincerely,