Team USA athletes and nearly 100 Boys & Girls Club members helped begin the countdown to the 2020 Olympics with a youth sports clinic at our Dunlevy Milbank Center on July 25.

Children ages 9 to 14 participated in the Peacock Games, which aim to teach young people about the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, as well as the importance of healthy habits, regular exercise and sportsmanship.

U.S. Olympians Nzingha Prescod (fencing), Nicole Ross (fencing), Erik Kynard (track and field, high jump), and Olympic skateboarding hopeful Tom Schaar attended the clinic in Harlem to teach youth about the sports that will be featured at the games in Tokyo.

Special guest Julianne Hough hosted a dance workshop for kids, while the Olympians hosted activities such as rock climbing, soccer, and basketball drills.

“I think it was a special opportunity for our young people to meet some Olympians firsthand,” said Casper Lassiter, director of the Dunlevy Milbank Center. “Hopefully they can aspire to stay healthy and be just as successful as these athletes.”

The day ended with a special medal ceremony to honor the children who attended the event, which was presented by NBCUniversal, the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition; the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and SportsEngine.

“Children’s Aid was thrilled to host the Peacock Games at our Dunlevy Milbank Community Center. Every day, we work with children and youth throughout New York City to ensure they are healthy, intellectually stimulated, and prepared to succeed,” said Phoebe C. Boyer, president and CEO of Children’s Aid. “Providing our young people with opportunities to learn, grow, and lead embodies the Olympic spirit and represents its theme to inspire and motivate the youth of the world to be the best they can be.”