Senior Olympics - Golden Fun for Baby Boomers
After watching the best athletes in the world compete this week in the 2012 Olympics, I'm in awe of the discipline, training and sacrifice from the athletes and their families. Did you know, you don’t have to travel the globe or be a youngster to compete in the Olympics? America is home to Olympic Games designed just for seniors, folks over 50 years old. While BMW, AT&T and Progressive Insurance may not be Senior Olympic game sponsors, this event is just as important to over 2,000 seniors who compete annually in sports such as basketball, table tennis, golf, track and field, swimming, and pickleball.
The National Senior Games are held every other year in states across America, in the summer and winter. This is the ‘qualification’ year, the year of NSGA State Games. In order to compete as an athlete in the National Senior Games, participants must have competed and qualified during the NSGA State Games held in the prior year. In most sports, the top 4 finishers in each age group, qualify for the National Senior Games. Check out the age groups:
50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94 and 95+.
This reminds me of an inspiring man at our previous office location. His name is Dan and he's now over 90 years old. Dan told me “It’s easy to win medals when you’re old”. Looking for something new to do, Dan began competing after age 50 and he had collected dozens of medals which he showed me in a variety of sports. He said “The older you get, the less competition you have.” It made me laugh, thinking of the good and bad of it. South Carolina and Tennessee hosted NSGA State Games during the past 90 days. Take a look at these inspiring women and men who were winners at the Tennessee Senior Olympics:
92 year old Gene Herron for golf
90 year old Donald Bales for the 50M Breaststroke & 100M Backstroke
82 year old Ruth Ketron for the 1500M Run
79 year old Ruth Sluder for the Long Jump
79 year old Jean Hinkle for the Basketball Free Throw
77 year old Eleanor Pendergraft for the Javelin
75 year old Joyce Manis for the High Jump
Are you inspired too? The Georgia Golden Olympics is scheduled for September 19-22, 2012 in Warner Georgia. The North Carolina Senior Games are scheduled for various dates and venues in September 2012. The Florida Senior Games will be held December 1-9, 2012 in Polk County Florida. There are many best master planned communities on our website who have active social clubs who compete in the golf, tennis, pickleball and more. These communities are great training grounds to prepare for Nationals.
Not only will living well add longevity to our lives, a little friendly competition doesn't hurt. On my mind at this age, is the legacy and memories I’ll leave for my children and grandchildren. Grandma's shooting basketball hoops at 79 years old is pretty darn cool to me! I'd love to have my family talking about me, as the cool mother and grandmother who won medals at the Senior Olympics.
Next year, I turn age 50 and will then qualify to play. Let’s become inspiring women and men while having some fun together competing at the National Senior Games.
