Detroit (WWJ)  -- "Sports for All, Forever" has been the focus and drive since the AAU was established in 1888. In the years since its founding, the AAU has helped develop an appreciation for sports and inspired in young athletes a spirit for excellence. The organization has served millions of American youth, ages 4-18.

Some AAU athletes who developed in stars as adults include Chris Webber, basketball star at University of Michigan and Detroit Country Day School. Others include Evelyn Ashford - Track & Field; Joan Beniot-Samuelson - Distance Running; Stephine Bodie - Weightlifting; Amanda Borden - Gymnastics; Tracy Caulkins - Swimming; Bart Conner - Gymnastics; Mary Decker-Slaney - Track & Field; Dan Gable - Wrestling; Anfernee Hardaway - Basketball; Stephanie Hightower - Track and Field; Chamique Holdsclaw - Basketball; Jackie Joyner-Kersee - Track & Field; Lisa Leslie - Basketball; Carl Lewis - Track & Field; Greg Louganis - Diving; Mary T. Meagher - Swimming; Cheryl Miller - Basketball; Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball; Alberto Salazar - Distance Running; Kari Strug - Gymnastics; and Kurt Thomas - Gymnastics.

Today, the AAU is proud to host more sporting events for age divisions in more cities than any other organization in the world -- more than 500,000 athletes across the United States, as well as 60,000 volunteers. The 2008 AAU Junior Olympics in Detroit is the culmination of competitions from across the nation.

More on the AAU Junior Olympics.