The National Senior Games 2013 presented by Humana come to a close in Cleveland on August 1.
Over 10,000 athletes 50 years and older compete, although most of the competitors are between the ages of 65 and 80. The athletes represent all 50 states as well as nine countries, including Angola, Germany, Latvia and Russia.
This year, legendary singer, actor and writer Pat Boone rocked the basketball court, helping to lead his team, the Virginia Creepers, to victory over rival team the South Carolina’s Darlington Generals, with a final score of 38 to 25 at Saturday’s game.
The “Senior Olympics” are held every two years on a national level. The first games were held in 1987 in St. Louis, MO. At those games, 2,500 seniors competed in front of 100,000 spectators. State games are held throughout the year.
The Games, the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors, are comprised of 19 core events including:
- Archery
- Badminton
- Bowling
- Cycling
- Golf
- Horseshoes
- Pickleball
- Shuffleboard
- Tennis
- Track & Field and more
and team sports:
- Basketball
- Softball
- Volleyball
In 2011, Dorothy Fadiman, with her production company Fadiman Social Documentaries, produced SHATTERING the MYTH of AGING: Senior Games Celebrate Healthy Lifestyles, Competition and Community. The 8 minute film follows a 74 year old Louisville, Kentucky man as he and his fellow seniors compete in Olympic-level sports. The documentary celebrates the human spirit and agrees with Dylan Thomas that we “…not go gentle into that good night.”
We at Caregiverlist champion Healthy Aging and believe that senior caregivers and their clients can work together to achieve stronger bodies, healthier minds and relieve stress with regular exercise. Who knows? Perhaps Senior Games 2015 is on your horizon.
