Trump heading to Northeast Ohio for Patriot Games
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Northeast Ohio will be in the spotlight next week when President Trump is expected to visit Geneva's Spire Academy for the inaugural Patriot Games.
Why it matters: The White House-backed competition puts one of Northeast Ohio's premier athletic facilities on a national stage.
The big picture: Created in conjunction with America 250, the Patriot Games will bring one male and one female athlete (ages 14-17) from each state to Geneva to compete for $250,000 in college scholarships.
- It's just like "The Hunger Games," minus the dystopian bloodbaths.
Zoom in: The competition will test athletes in skill sets from football, basketball, soccer, track and other sports, per ESPN.
- Contestants will also complete a "military-inspired boot camp," perform elements of the Presidential Fitness Test and, for the finals, navigate an obstacle course designed to test both strategy and athleticism.
Between the lines: The games further cement Spire's status as one of the country's premier youth athletic training facilities.
- The 850,000-square-foot campus serves as a boarding academy for aspiring athletes. The NBA's LaMelo Ball is one of its most notable alums.
The intrigue: The White House-hosted event is closed to the public.
- Organizers have not released details about Trump's expected appearance, first reported by the Ashtabula Star Beacon.
What's next: Athletes arrive Aug. 7-8, with competition running Aug. 9-11.
- ESPN will stream the events live, with a one-hour television special airing Aug. 13 on ABC and ESPN.