New York, NY, July 22, 2011 - Well-known educator and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone Geoffrey Canada greeted more than 2,000 participants during Friday's Opening Ceremonies of the 2011 Harlem Children's Zone Summer Games at the Armory New Balance Track & Field Center in Washington Heights.

The 5^th Summer Games held at the Armory was billed as a two-day ``fun competition,'' with children ages 4-10 competing on Thursday (July 21) and ages 11-18 today. More than 2,000 participants competed each day.

Armory Track & Field Director and 1996 Gold Medal winner Derrick Adkins and Harlem Children's Zone's Malaika Lambert oversee the Summer Games. The Summer Games revolve around high-level energy in categories including 55-meter, 200-meter, 4x200 relay and long jump events. On Friday the Games started at 10 a.m.

Geoffrey Canada runs with two participants Friday during the 2011 Harlem Children's Zone Opening Ceremony at the New Balance Track & Field Center. Photo credit Timothy Fulton, www.armorytrack.com.

The Armory is home to more than 100 indoor track & field meets during the indoor season, welcoming more than 125,000 individual athletes. During this upcoming season the Armory will host the 105^th Millrose Games as well the Hispanic Games, the New Balance Games and the New Balance Collegiate Invitational, which is the largest indoor college meet held in the United States. The Armory is the proud home of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.

``Several dozen Harlem Children's Zone volunteers and employees put in countless hours of work in preparation for the meet,'' Adkins said. ``During the meet they will be assisted by some of the most experienced certified track officials in New York City, contracted by the Armory.''

 To learn more about the Armory go to www.armorytrack.com and to learn more about Harlem Children's Zone go to www.hcz.org.

About the Armory Foundation:

A non-profit organization based in New York City, the Armory will be host the 105^th Millrose Games and more than 100 indoor track & field meets during the indoor season, welcoming over 125,000 individual athletes. In addition to its many youth sports and educational programs, the Armory organizes the Hispanic Games, the New Balance Games and the New Balance Collegiate Invitational, which is the largest indoor college meet held in the United States. The Armory is the proud home of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. For more information please visit: www.ArmoryTrack.com