knowledge is power

Frequently Asked Questions

  • WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

    Our goal is to empower young girls and women to realize their dreams by building confidence and developing a strong sense of accomplishment through organized sports and education. Our message: with hard work, dedication, and a quality education – dreams come true.

  • AM I ELIGIBLE?

    All girls and young women, elementary grade 1 and up, who can attend and participate in the preliminaries at The Armory Track in New York City are eligble. No experience in track and field is necessary, but all girls of school-age must be enrolled and attending school in order to participate.

     

    Colgate will follow applicable state or local school district regulations and guidelines with respect to school age girls, including transgender girls, who would like to participate in the Colgate Women’s Games. With respect to college-age or older transgender athletes, Colgate will follow the NCAA Policy on Transgender Student-Athlete Participation. Links to those guidance documents can be found here:

    NYS Public High School Athletic Association Transgender Guidelines

    NYS Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association Guidelines for Transgender Athletes

    NCAA Inclusion of Transgender Student-Athletes

  • WHY TRACK AND FIELD?

    Track and field teaches drive, determination, and commitment; it provides structure and a physical outlet for the health and mental well-being for experienced and novice athletes alike. No expensive equipment is required. Most importantly: it’s fun.

  • WHAT ARE THE AGE/GRADE DIVISIONS?

    Competition is divided into six age or grade divisions: Elementary A (grades 1 through 3), Elementary B (grades 4 through 5), Middle School (grades 6 through 8), High School (grades 9 through 12), College/Open and 30’s-Plus.

  • WHAT ARE THE EVENTS?

    There are eight events: 55-meter dash, 55-meter hurdles, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, 800-meter run, 1,500-meter run, high jump and shot put, depending on grade division.

  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE?

    Participation is FREE! All participants who compete receive a competitor t-shirt and ribbon.

  • WHO IS THE FOUNDER?

    Brooklyn’s Fred Thompson founded Colgate Women’s Games in 1974 with the generous support of Colgate-Palmolive Company, which has remained the programs’ title sponsor for over four decades. Thompson was a US Olympic Track Team coach, founder of the Brooklyn Atoms Track Club, a US attorney, and a sportscaster for ABC Television. He also served as the Colgate Women’s Games’ Meet Director for forty years through 2014.

  • WHO IS THE DIRECTOR?

    Cheryl Toussaint is an Olympic medalist and original member of Thompson’s Brooklyn Atoms’ Track Club. She has been involved with Colgate Women’s Games since its inception; first as a competitor, then an official – before becoming the Assistant Meet Director in 1999. In 2014, she took the reins from Thompson and still serves as the Colgate Women’s Games’ Meet Director today. Toussaint is also a successful businesswoman and founded Tousse Apparel along the way.

  • WHERE ARE THE MEETS?

    Registration Day #1, Preliminaries, Semi-Finals and Finals will be held at 

    The Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory
    216 Fort Washington Avenue
    New York, NY 10032


    Registration Day #2 will be held at

    The Pratt Institute Student Union Building
    200 Willoughby Avenue
    Brooklyn, NY 11205

  • DO YOU AWARD EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS?

    In addition to trophies and medals, Colgate-Palmolive Company awards over one hundred educational scholarships each year. To access the scholarship form click here

  • WHO IS THE SPONSOR?

    Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, Lady Speed Stick, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Murphy, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health through the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached approximately 1.7 billion children and their families since 1991. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how we are building a future to smile about, visit www.colgatepalmolive.com.

     

  • WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COLGATE-PALMOLIVE'S VARIOUS PROGRAMS?

    Get in touch with us at info@colgatewomensgames.com