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Youth Olympic Games

Youth Olympic Games
September 22, 2018 Nick Seitz
Parker Albright Youth Olympic Games

Photo by Gabriel Cadenas

This year, Endorphin Fitness has the great honor of sending an athlete and a coach to the Youth Olympic Games. Parker Albright has qualified for the Games by winning the Olympic Trials held in Salinas, Ecuador. Head coach Michael Harlow, Parker’s coach of 6 years, was also selected by USA Triathlon to coach Parker and the other American athlete, Drew Shellenberger, at the games. Below you will find all the information you need to follow Parker and Michael at the games. Parker, her father Chad, and coach Michael also sat down for an interview discussing her journey as an athlete. You can find that below!

Youth Olympic Games

The Youth Olympic Games occur every four years and are open to athletes ages 15-18 across thirty-four different sports.  This year’s games will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 6th to 18th.  With opening and closing ceremonies, an Olympic village, and daily NBC coverage, the Youth Olympic Games is similar to the Olympic Games but for a younger age range. 

Parker Albright’s Journey

Parker Albright has worked with Michael for the last six years. The Youth Olympic Games has been a goal for her since age 11, and together Parker and Michael have worked together to achieve this goal over their multi-year coaching journey. It is an amazing accomplishment for Parker to qualify for the games.

Hear more about Parker’s journey from a promising runner to Olympic athlete below:

Michael Harlow given coaching position.

Endorphin Fitness head coach Michael Harlow was one of three coaches selected by USA Triathlon to lead Team USA at the Youth Olympic Games Trials. At this race, Harlow led a team of sixteen athletes from across the US, two of which were EF athletes – Parker Albright and Abby Church. This race served as the qualifier for North and South America. The top US male and female athletes would earn automatic qualification to the Youth Olympic Games to represent the US. Michael was honored to be leading this team, and his excitement of seeing an American win the qualifiers was compounded by the fact that it was an athlete that he had coached for six years!

After the trials, USAT asked Michael to continue working with Team USA by coaching at the Youth Olympic Games. Michael will coach Parker and Drew while they’re competing at the games.

To hear more about Parker’s victory at the Olympic Trials and Michael’s experience coaching her there, check out the interview here:

Additional press

Where to Watch

The Youth Olympic Games will be televised in the evenings on NBC’s Olympic Channel for five hours every evening from October 6-18.  You can also follow online at the following links:

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