2022 Summer Marblelympics

2022 Summer Marblelympics Logo

The 2022 Summer Marblelympics were the inaugural competition of the Saint Charles Marble League. The games introduced the format which would become the template for future competitions.

The 2022 Games introduced eight new events to the SMCL, including five team events and three individual events. The Games were held at Walsh Stadium in Saint Charles, Missouri.

## Overview

The 2022 Summer Marblelympics (often referred to as the 2022 Summer Marblelympic Games) were held on September 4, 2022 at Walsh Stadium in Saint Charles, Missouri. The games were the first official event held by the Saint Charles Marble League and the first event overseen by the Saint Charles Marblelympic Committee.

Eight new events were debuted at the games, including three individual events and five team events. The games inaugural event was the 2m Sprint and the games concluded with the 10m Marathon. As the first official games, new records were set in every event.

Three teams made their Saint Charles Marble League debut at the games - the Galaxy Guys, the Sea Monsters, and Team Metallic. After a thrilling tie-breaker event, The Galaxy Guys were crowned as the Summer Marblelympic Grand Champions, becoming the first team to hoist the Marblelympic Cup.

Post-event proceedings saw Matt LaPointe selected to be the host of the forthcoming Inaugural Winter Marblelympics.

## Development

Planning and development for the Inaugural 2022 Summer Marblelympics began on June 30, 2022. On this date, a timeline was established which sought to host the competition in August of 2022; Due to time constraints, this would eventually be pushed back to September of 2022.

On June 30th of 2022, all three participating teams were established and defined including team names, mottos, coaches, captains, members, and reserves. These teams were the Galaxy Guys, the Sea Monsters, and Team Metallic. Team ambassadors for the Games were Scott Walsh, Andrew Head, and Matt LaPointe, respectively.

July of 2022 saw the formation of the Marblelympic Committee. The Committee was composed of three members, the three ambassadors for the forthcoming Games. The Committee brought forth the first edition of the Marblelympic Rules and Regulations. This guideline would become the basis for ruling and regulation for all upcoming competitions.

On August 9, 2022, potential dates for the upcoming Games were proposed, with September 4th eventually being chosen.

Preparations at Walsh Stadium occurred through July and August, with all eight event courses needing to be constructed from scratched. Final touches on the grounds and events completed on September 3rd, two days before the Games took place.

## Teams

Teams for the 2022 Summer Marblelympics consisted of a coach and five team members, including a captain and a reserve. The role of the coach is to oversee and guide the teams performance and does not warrant participation in any events. The captain and three additional members are the main competitors in each event, as selected by the team ambassador. The role of the reserve is to fill in for any team member should they be unable to continue in the competition. Each team is represented by a team ambassador who is in charge of selecting team members and overseeing the organizational growth and development of the team.

## Events

### 2m Sprint

**Description:** A single marble from each team races down a slope and across a 2m track, attempting to cross the finish line in the shortest time possible.

### Block Push

**Description:** A full team of four marbles will take turns rolling down a sloped track and pushing a block as far as possible. Farthest distance pushed wins.

### 4x1m Relay

**Description:** A team of four marbles will race down four pieces of track, triggering their teammates to start their section of track upon the completion of their own. The team to get their last marble over the finish line the quickest wins.

 2nd
 3rd

### Bowling

**Description:** A four marble team will take two rolls down a sloped platform towards a group of pins, attempting to knock over as many pins as possible along the way.

 2nd
 3rd

### Obstacle Course

**Description:** Four marble teams from each team will race down a gently sloped obstacle course at the same time, with points being awarded for speedy finishes, and overall team performance.

### High Jump

**Description:** One marble will roll down a slope and off a ramp, attempting to clear a bar which increases in height each round. The marble to clear the highest bar wins.

 2nd
 3rd

### Target Roll

**Description:** Three full teams of marbles will roll down a sloped course towards a landing zone with areas worth different point amounts. The team to score the most points wins.

### 10m Marathon

**Description:** A single marble races down a gently sloping 10m section of track, attempting to get across the finish line in the quickest time possible.

### Tie-Break

At the end of regulation competition, the Galaxy Guys and Team Metallic found themselves tied in total points. Per the Marblelympic Rules and Regulations, the teams entered into a tie-break event.

To determine the event, a selection was drawn at random. The selected event was the 10m Marathon. Each team ambassador selected a marble to compete in one round of the 10m Marathon to determine who would win the one bonus tie-break point and, thus, win the competition as a whole.

In a nail-biting race, the Galaxy Guy's Nebula edged out Team Metallic's Copper to earn the tie-break point and secure their team the Marblelympic Cup.

## Standings

### Final Standings

 2nd
 3rd

## Notes

* The 2022 Summer Marblelympics was the first competition held by the Saint Charles Marble League.

* Following the Games, Matt LaPointe was selected as the host for the next Marblelympic event, the 2023 Winter Marblelympics.

## Gallery

Team AmbassadorsGameplay BeginsWalsh Stadium2m Sprint10m Marathon4x1m RelayHigh JumpBlock PushBowlingObstacle CourseTarget Roll