The 50th annual World Eskimo-Indian Olympics starts today with a special ceremony.

The first WIEO was held in Griffin Park in Fairbanks in July 1961. A couple of dozen Alaska Native men and women, along with some dance groups, took part in the inaugural event.

The original participants and organizers will be among those honored at the ceremonial opening. There's also an anniversary potluck tonight.

The games kick off for real tomorrow at the Carlson Center. Three competitions have been revived in honor of the 50th anniversary -- the swing kick, the bench kick and the neck pull.

Non-Natives are also invited to participate in the storytelling event, although no prizes will be awarded for it.

Get the Story:
Ceremonial opening of WEIO games set for noon today (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 7/19)
Got a Good Story? Go Tell It to the Eskimos (The Wall Street Journal 7/19)