Colorado Springs---Olympic speedskating gold medalist Derek Parra will be one of two famous American champions who will be on hand to open the 2008 State Games of the West in Colorado Springs, July 24-27.

Parra has been selected by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation as its male Olympic athlete to light the flame during the Opening Ceremony at the Colorado Springs World Arena on the evening of July 24. A female Olympian will be named in the near future for the honor.

The skater was one of the great stories of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. He won a gold medal in the 1500 meters and a silver medal in the 5000 meter event. His gold medal performance set a World record while his silver medal set an American record. Parra was also the first ever Mexican-American Olympic Winter Games Champion.

The skater is a U.S. National Champion, a North American Champion and was a U.S. National Team member from 1996-2006. Besides his speed skating accolades, he is also an accomplished roller skater. He is the most decorated athlete in roller skating history with 18 individual World Championship Gold Medals and a two-time Overall World Champion. He was inducted into the Roller Skating Hall of Fame in 2002.

In 2001, after deciding to switch to the ice, he won a silver medal at the World Single Distance Championships (1500 meters) setting a new American Record and marking himself as "one to watch at the 2002 Olympic Games". By 1996 he was already the most accomplished athletes in the history of American sport with his roller skating triumphs alone. In 1995 he was the most decorated athlete at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg with 5 golds, 2 silvers, and a bronze medal.

Parra was born in San Bernardino, CA, where he began skating at the age of 14. He currently resides in Salt Lake City. He is very involved in the Latino community and is an appointee to the President's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports.

This year's Opening Ceremony will be an inspiring evening of family entertainment featuring a ceremonial parade of athletes, sport exhibitions and demonstrations and live entertainment. The evening will conclude with the lighting of the State Games of America cauldron by Parra and the female Olympian.

Olympic figure skating gold medalist and World Champion Michelle Kwan opened the State Games of America last summer during the ceremonies, which drew a venue record 10,007 spectators to the World Arena.

Athletes Can Register Now at: www.stategamesofthewest.org

The event is open to amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels in 31 sports from 13 Western states who compete in their respective 2008 State Games, including four (Nevada, Alaska, Wyoming and Idaho) that do not have state games events of their own but are invited to take part.

Almost 600 competitors have already registered for competition from Colorado, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. The Games will serve as a qualifier for next summer's State Games of America, July 30-August 2, in Colorado Springs.

All participating athletes will receive free admission to the Opening Ceremony. Spectators can purchase Opening Ceremony tickets now. Prices are $10 for adults, $5 for youth (18 & under) & seniors (55+). Click here or call 866-464-2626 to purchase tickets. TICKETS ARE LIMITED!!

The host Colorado Springs Sports Corporation is anticipating some 8,000 athletes to compete in the event, with as many as 1,300 basketball players, 1,200 cyclists, 1000 soccer players, 850 swimmers, and 325 track and field athletes.

The sports for the inaugural State Games of the West include: 5K Run/Walk, Archery (3D), Archery (Target), Badminton, Basketball, Billiards, BMX Racing, Bowling, Cycling, Diving, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastics, InLine Hockey, Judo, Karate, Powerlifting, Racquetball, Rock Climbing, Shooting, Soccer, Softball (Slow Pitch), Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, Triathlon, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Competition will be staged at world-class venues including the Colorado Springs World Arena, U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Fort Carson, and Colorado College. A total of 25 venues will host the three-day events across the city.