“I always loved running … it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.”
– Jesse Owens, four-time Olympic gold medalist, 1936
Time and time again, the sprints and endurance tests of the 2012 London Olympics reminded us of the power and excitement inherent in such a wide variety of sports. (Just check out these racing moments on Runner’s World for some fun examples.) But as numerous athletes mentioned in their post-race interviews, success often begins with one great coach or class or neighborhood game. So today, we’ve highlighted a few Catalogue nonprofits who are working (and running) to ensure that local kids have the chance to jump into sports and stay active: