Each year, young athletes from across Alaska compete in a 3-day sporting event called the Native Youth Olympics.
NYO features a variety of unconventional and challenging events that push athletes to their limits. The techniques that athletes use derive from ancient survival skills passed down by Native Alaskan generations.
- Jeffrey Rivet / KTUU Channel 2 News (2016)
An athlete in yellow raises both shoes toward the suspended two-foot high-kick target.
A competitor in navy and red reaches both feet forward while airborne.
An athlete in black extends both feet toward the target in a front-facing view.
A competitor in yellow draws the knees upward during a jump.
An athlete in navy tucks both knees with arms extended forward.
A competitor in black lifts both feet together toward the hanging target.
An athlete in yellow pulls both knees upward high above the floor.
Side view of an athlete in yellow extending both feet toward the target.
A competitor in gray leans forward during a jumping attempt.
An athlete in gray extends both legs straight toward the target.
Profile portrait of a competitor waiting beside the competition area.
An athlete in blue lifts both feet toward the target while airborne.
A competitor in navy spreads both arms while approaching the target.
An athlete in yellow leans forward during the takeoff phase.
A competitor in gray and yellow draws both knees up during a jump.
An athlete in black reaches forward with both feet raised.
A competitor in blue tucks both legs tightly during an airborne kick.
Close view of an athlete lifting both shoes toward the target.
An athlete in dark clothing extends both legs while leaning forward.
An athlete in yellow draws both knees toward the chest.
A competitor in patterned blue clothing extends both legs toward the hanging target.
An athlete in blue lowers after an attempt beneath the target.
Front view of a competitor lifting both shoe soles toward the camera and target.
An athlete in blue stretches both feet horizontally beneath the target.
A competitor in white and patterned shorts lifts both legs during a jump.
An athlete in black extends both feet while reaching forward.
A competitor in white reaches both shoes toward the target with arms spread.
A competitor in white watches the target during an attempt.
An athlete in blue raises both feet toward the hanging ball.
Close view of a competitor’s raised feet just beneath the target.
An athlete in dark clothing lifts both legs with spectators behind.
Side view of a competitor in black extending both shoes forward.
An athlete in yellow leans back while raising both feet together.
A competitor in blue and red reaches both legs forward.
An athlete in red spreads both arms beneath the target.
A competitor in red and tan tucks both knees while airborne.
An athlete stretches both arms upward during takeoff.
A competitor in black reaches forward with both feet raised.
An athlete in yellow extends both legs horizontally during a kick.
A competitor in patterned blue clothing jumps with arms extended.
An athlete in dark clothing tucks the knees tightly beneath the target.
A competitor in blue patterned clothing leans forward during a two-foot attempt.
Rear view of an athlete in black lifting both arms beneath the target.
An athlete in patterned blue clothing tucks both legs high during a jump.
A competitor in black stretches both feet forward while airborne.
An athlete in patterned shorts reaches toward raised feet during a kick.
Wide view of the gym floor with an athlete preparing beneath the target stand.
A competitor in white stands ready on the competition floor.
An athlete in white extends both legs during an airborne attempt.
Close view of raised feet approaching the suspended target.
A competitor in black draws both knees upward during a jump.
An athlete in white extends both feet straight forward beneath the target.
Side view of an athlete in white with both legs raised horizontally.
An athlete in navy folds forward while lifting both shoes toward the target.