Olivia Mannon News Today

“We are doing a great job, with amazing coaches, with amazing athletes; it is very difficult to do—send them around the world, give them scholarships” and everything else they need to compete at the highest level, says Ayelet CEO Arik Kaplan.

The Alabama competition has emphasized peace and reconciliation worldwide, taking inspiration from Birmingham’s transition in the last 60 years since it was the focal point of civil-rights battles.

Some 3,600 international athletes from 110 countries will take part in 200 medal competitions in 34 sports, most of which are not on the Olympic roster.