The President's Challenge (also called Presidential Champions) was an American program promulgated by the
President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition that aimed to encourage all Americans to "make being active part of their everyday lives" and to be
physically fit. The President's Challenge was introduced by
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson (; August 27, 1908January 22, 1973), often referred to by his initials LBJ, was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He had previously served as the 37th vice ...
in 1966. It was designed to help motivate participants (international participants also eligible) to improve regardless of activity and fitness level. The Presidential Champions program was discontinued on June 30, 2018.
Program content
The President's Challenge program included Awards for actively performing members in their preferred games, sports, or athletics. There were various levels of Awards available. They are:
* Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA)
* Health Fitness Award
* Presidential Champions Awards
** Presidential Champions Bronze Award
** Presidential Champions Silver Award
** Presidential Champions Gold Award
** Presidential Champions Platinum Award
To obtain credit participants must log in their daily efforts, which as noted above can include both sports and physical fitness activities. Each daily activity gives a certain number of points, the number computed by both its intensity and duration. Reporting is entirely on the
honor system
An honor system or honesty system is a philosophical way of running a variety of endeavors based on trust, honor, and honesty. Something that operates under the rule of the "honor system" is usually something that does not have strictly enf ...
. Each higher level award requires accumulating more points. There is not a time limit. Qualifiers are eligible for certificates, medals and patches, with the platinum award being a large medallion. The lower levels are comparatively easy, while the platinum award requires a sustained effort, typically over several years. Annually the number of people who reached this point has increased. Over 100 a year now earn it. Several have been awarded it multiple times.
Participants who achieve the Platinum Award are also offered participation in the Presidential Champions Platinum Award program. The Platinum Awards page was taken down in 2016 following the transition of the program from being under the administration of
FDA
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food ...
to the Department on Agriculture on August 31, 2016. SuperTracker and the new management did not track Platinum earners or post any information about them, and the program was suspended in 2018.
Website hacked
On January 11, 2012, the operators of the website for participants of the Challenge and Active Lifestyle programs learned that the website had been
hacked resulting in the release of personal information of the participants. The President's Challenge website said it was down for "Site Maintenance – We're taking a little breather." On January 20, 2012, the website was modified to explain the hacking.
On January 27, 2012, The President's Challenge sent out emails to its participants saying that the website was functional as of January 24, 2012, and asked participants to reset their user passwords.
Discontinuation
The
Trump administration
Donald Trump's tenure as the 45th president of the United States began with his inauguration on January 20, 2017, and ended on January 20, 2021. Trump, a Republican from New York City, took office following his Electoral College victory ...
terminated the program on June 30, 2018. The reason stated was that the private sector created many other tools that have the same purpose, so it was discontinued to invest in newer ways to help Americans have a healthy lifestyle.
See also
*
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (commonly abbreviated DofE) is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, that has since expanded to 144 nations. The awards recognise adolescents and young ...
References
{{reflist
External links
The President's Challenge!--This link was previously tagged dead. The site was hacked on 11 January. It then said it was unavailable for "unscheduled maintenance". On 20 January it posted an announcement regarding the hacking.-->
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Sports trophies and awards