2024 Junior Olympic Championships to be Held in Pittsburgh
by Nicole Jomantas
(Colorado Springs, CO) – USA Judo is pleased to announce the Junior Olympic Championships will return to the Northeast for the first time in many years when the event is held in Pittsburgh, PA from June 21-23, 2024.
The Junior Olympic National Championships will be held from June 21-22 with the International Championships to take place on June 23 with nearly 1,000 athletes ages 5-20 expected to fight for gold.
Pittsburgh is a premier sports destination with the best of football, baseball, hockey and more. Beyond bleeding black and gold, Pittsburgh hosts a wide array of other notable sporting events throughout the year, including The DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, the 2023 National Senior Games, Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championships, USGA Men’s and Women’s US Open, NCAA Frozen Four, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships and USA Gymnastics Championships. These competitions offer a great opportunity for Pittsburghers and travelers alike to come out to cheer on participating athletes and get inspired by their stories, strength, determination, commitment and spirit.
“We’re excited to host the USA Judo Junior Olympic Championships in Pittsburgh in 2024,” said SportsPITTSBURGH Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins. "Unique events like this one continue to develop the city’s rich history as the City of Champions, and we look forward to introducing the national judo community to all Pittsburgh has to offer.”
The Junior Olympics will be held in conjunction with USA Weightlifting’s National Championships Week which will draw 1,600 junior, senior and masters competitors with competition for both sports being held in Hall A of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to create a festival atmosphere between the two sports.
“It is exciting to bring the Junior Olympics back to the Northeast and fitting to be in the City of Champions just before the 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games. We are looking forward to partnering with USA Weightlifting to see future Olympic hopefuls in action as we look ahead not just to the Paris Games, but to LA 2028 as well,” said USA Judo CEO Keith Bryant.
Entry packet and additional registration details will be released in early 2024. Discounted hotel rooms are available now through Team Travel Source, USA Judo’s official tournament housing provider.