Old meets new this week at the Native Youth Olympics.
The new Alaska Airlines Center will be the scene of three days of games that have been played by generations of Alaska Natives.
The 45th annual event begins Thursday and showcases competitions based on traditional Native activities.
Hundreds of students from across the state will compete in events like the Eskimo stick pull, the seal hop and the crowd-pleasing high kicks -- events that test strength, endurance, agility and athleticism.
Native dance groups will perform Friday and Saturday, and winners of the fifth annual Pilot bread recipe contest will be announced Saturday.
The games are for kids of all ethnicities in grades 7 through 12. Admission is free.
Thursday
1 p.m. – Opening ceremonies
2 p.m. – Kneel jump
3:30 p.m. – Wrist carry
5:30 p.m. – Alaskan high kick
Friday
10 a.m. – Eskimo stick pull
12:30 p.m. – Celebration of graduates and education excellence awards
1 p.m. – Native dance performance
1:30 p.m. – Toe kick
3:30 p.m. – One-hand reach
5:30 p.m. – Two-foot high kick
Saturday
10 a.m. – Indian stick pull
12:15 p.m. – Native dance performance
12:30 p.m. – One-foot high kick
3 p.m. – Seal hop
5 p.m. – Closing ceremonies