PORT BYRON, IL - The Nick Teddy Foundation, in partnership with Nelson Chiropractic, isthrilled to announce more than 200 runners have registered to fight Ewing's Sarcoma at the firstannual "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k."

"We are well on our way to make this one of the largest races in Port Byron history!" said RaceDirector Holly Larson of Port Byron, Ill.

WHEREAS, athletic achievement in the international community fosters a sense of inspiration and pride within our towns, our states and the country; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has the opportunity to celebrate those athletes who work tirelessly to achieve their goals, to recognize the contributions of sport, and to showcase the sportsmanship of a diverse group of men and women who left Illinois as individuals and returned as Olympians; and,

WHEREAS, the Summer Games of the XXX Olympiad were held in London, United Kingdom in 2012, for the third time in modern history; and,

WHEREAS, today, the Olympic Games are widely considered to be the most prestigious sports competition in the World, with over 200 participating countries sending thousands of athletes to compete; and,

WHEREAS, the Olympic rings symbolize the ideals of universality of Olympism and international cooperation and respect. The linked rings represent each of the five inhabited continents united through a meeting of the athletes of the World; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to the ideal of unity among diversity, the Olympic motto of "Citius, Altius, Fortius", or "Swifter, Higher, Stronger" encourages athletes to put forth their best effort during the games through a demonstration of personal excellence. Together with the Olympic Creed, "The most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well", the Olympic Movement has developed the most recognized display of athletic values and sportsmanship in the World; and,

WHEREAS, the United States, following hard-fought competition, captured the most medals of any country with 104, as well as the most gold medals of any country with 46; and,

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois is proud to be home to twenty-two Olympic athletes who competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games: Amy LePeilbet, soccer; Andre Iguodala, basketball; Anna Li, gymnastics; Anthony Davis, basketball; Bob Willis, sailing; Candace Parker, basketball; Charlie Jayne, equestrian; Christina Loukas, diving; Conor Dwyer, swimming; Dawn Harper, track and field; Ellis Coleman, wrestling; Evan Jager, track and field; Gia Lewis-Smallwood, track and field; Grant James, rowing; Kelci Bryant, diving; Lance Brooks, track and field; Matt Grevers, swimming; Ross James, rowing; Sarah Zelenka, rowing; Swin Cash, basketball; Sean Rooney, volleyball; and Tyler McGill, swimming; and,

WHEREAS, over the course of modern Olympic history, athletes have overcome war, oppression and poverty to compete in the Games - forming friendships through a shared love of sport; and,

CHICAGO - Fresh from the Olympics break, the Chicago Sky basketball team will honor Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and other female athletes and coaches Friday during the 40th anniversary celebration of Title IX.

The WNBA's Sky features two players, Sylvia Fowles and Swin Cash, who helped Team USA earn gold in London. The Sky's honorary Title IX team includes Julie Foudy, former USA Women's Soccer Team captain and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

"This year's Olympics are a testament to the possibilities Title IX has made available to women," Simon said. "This summer's US Olympic team featured more women than men, and the majority of US gold medalists in London were women."

Title IX, enacted on June 23, 1972, banned sex discrimination in federally funded schools and led to expanded opportunities for female athletes. This summer Simon declared June 23 "Title IX Day" in Illinois and joined the Sky for a celebration in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Title IX.

Other members of the honorary Title IX team are: Margaret Stender, chairwoman, former president and CEO of the Chicago Sky; Sarah Spain, ESPN/ESPNW contributor and reporter; Amy Skeen, president and CEO of Girls in the Game; Lisa Cole, founder of the Chicago Force; Peg Kopec, volleyball coach at St. Francis High School in Wheaton; Ramelia Williams, former Chicago director of Go Girl Go!; and Maria Wynne, CEO for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana; and Lt. Governor Simon, who has held the indoor and outdoor high jump records at Wittenberg University since the 1980s.

Click here to view a video of Simon discussing her personal experience with Title IX.

DATE: Friday, August 17

TIME: 6 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. tip-off

PLACE: Allstate Arena, 6920 North Mannheim Road, Rosemont