A Street Named for Challen Kelly Sievers
In celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 5, we’re highlighting a newer street in Downers Grove named after a remarkable woman athlete from Downers Grove. Challen Place honors Challen Kelly Sievers, a member of the U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Team who competed in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Born in Downers Grove on April 19, 1979, Sievers began her rhythmic gymnastics journey in 1987, excelling early on as a junior national champion in individual competition. She was a member of the U.S. National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team from 1994 to 1996. During this time, the team lived and trained in Downers Grove, thanks to the efforts of Challen’s father, Ron Sievers whose construction firm renovated a house for the gymnasts and converted a former racquetball complex into their training facility, now known as Elite Sports, located at 6360 Belmont Road, Downers Grove, IL. In the summer of 1996, Challen was selected to compete in the Atlanta Olympics, marking the debut of group rhythmic gymnastics at the Games. The U.S. team finished ninth, narrowly missing the finals. While the team didn’t secure a medal at the 1996 Olympics, they had the extraordinary experience of meeting President Bill Clinton at the White House. The team achieved notable successes, including winning a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata and placing second at the 1995 Four Continents Championships. Following the 1996 Olympics, Ron Sievers purchased the competition carpets used in Atlanta as a keepsake of this historic moment.
Challen Place is a short, one-block street running south from Elmore Avenue, nestled between Belmont Road and Lee Avenue. The street is comprised of homes built by Challen’s father’s construction firm.
To learn about other interesting women of Downers Grove click here
