In 2011 Houston, Texas will play host to the National Senior Games also known as the Senior Olympics. The Senior Games are multi sports competitions for people fifty years and older. It is a sixteen day event that is predicted to attract more than 35,000 people to Houston; 15,000 of whom will be competing in the games.
The games are hosted by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA). This is an organization that works with other entities to support a healthy, active lifestyle for seniors. Working with government agencies, colleges and universities through research and education the NSGA strives to become more knowledgeable of the aging process. The NSGA is the governing body of the Summer National Senior Games. All fifty states have membership in the NSGA and sponsor their own state games.
The National Senior Games are played in odd number years so as not to coincide with the Olympics. Played in even numbered years are the state senior games which serve as qualifiers for the national games. To qualify for the Senior Olympic Games you must be fifty years or older and participate in a state, local or regional competition. The national competitive events include the following: archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, race walk, racquetball, road race, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, triathlon, volley ball and the possibility of adding additional sports. At the state level there are other competitive events which may or may not be included in the National Games.
Florida has been a member of the NSGA since the onset of the games. There are opportunities to qualify for the national games every year in some location throughout the state of Florida. During the 2009 Florida Senior Games, two of the oldest athletes met in a tennis singles match. One of the competitors was 95 and the other was 100. The 95 year old won the match 6-2, 5-3 before the 100 year old conceded the match. Both athletes earned gold medals since they were the only contestants in their age group. I imagine that each state has stories to tell of amazing accomplishments by athletes well into their “Golden Years.” In the same year in Florida a woman in the 80-84 age group posted a score of 85 in the golfing competition. This amazing athlete won a gold medal in seven of the last eight years.
The Senior Games strive to promote a healthy lifestyle for seniors. Providing top notch competition and the opportunity to participate with and meet other active seniors are the goals of the games. All levels of fitness can be found at the games. There are those who were star athletes in high school and college and those who just decided it was time to get off the couch. Whatever the motivation, it’s just plain fun to be playing a game and exercising.
