Special to The PatriotTraveling to a foreign country, opening ceremonies, participating in international competition, experiencing medal ceremonies – sounds like the Summer Olympics.
And for a 13-year old local athlete, competing in the International Youth Friendship Games, it was the next best thing.
Brandywine Heights Middle School eighth-grader Austin Murr had the unique opportunity of representing the United States in the People to People-sponsored Youth Friendship Games held in Vienna, Austria, in July. The People to People Sports Ambassador program, started in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, brings young athletes from around the world together for friendly competition and cultural understanding. Sports Ambassadors are student-athletes who want to compete internationally, improve technique and skills through training and interaction, and experience international culture and diversity.
This year’s Games saw athletes from 22 countries, including France, England, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Austria and the U.S., competing in baseball, basketball, bowling, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball and wrestling. In each sport, the U.S. teams had a professional trainer. For baseball, Austin’s sport, there was Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins. Jenkins was inducted into Cooperstown in 1991 and is best know for his six consecutive 20-win seasons and his 3,192 career strikeouts. He trained the U.S. team in pitching, base running and team play.
Austin competed on the 12-13-year old U.S. team, and played in four games against Austria and Czech Republic. Austin’s team-mates included boys from Texas, Massachusetts, California, Rhode Island, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. The team was undefeated and won the gold medal in the age bracket. In the semifinal game, Austin had a double, single and an RBI as the U.S. defeated Austria, 13-1.
In the gold medal game against Czech Republic, with one out and the U.S. ahead 5-3 in the final inning, the Czechs threatened to score with runners on second and third. However, Austin’s put out in center field stopped the Czech rally and propelled the U.S. to its win.
Being a Sports Ambassador also provides the opportunity to sightsee and experience the culture of a foreign country. Austin toured Vienna, played in the oldest Viennese amusement park built in 1897, and spent a day at a Nazi concentration camp in Mauthausen. Athletes could also mingle with each other in Players Town and had a farewell dinner and dance to cap off their amazing international adventure.
According to Austin, being a Sports Ambassador is an excellent and exciting experience. For him, the highlight of the trip was winning the gold medal with his team. He is looking forward to participating in the Youth Friendship Games once again some day.
