"I'm Too Old...."

By Marilyn Minnick

These are words you will not hear at the National Senior Games! 

Just ask Ken, a 94-year-old swimmer who is legally blind, has a pacemaker and two knee replacements. Ken won two gold medals at the National Senior Olympics in Pittsburgh this past June. Ken did not start swimming until he retired. Another competitor was Verda, 90, who used a walker to get to the pool and swims three days a week to stay active. There was a gentleman at the games who was 102 years old and competed in bowling. Beatrice, 87, took a bus alone from Maryland to Pittsburgh to compete. She commented to me that her neighbors in her housing complex think she is crazy for wanting to compete, but she believes they are the crazy ones for sitting in front of the TV all day. 

As you can see, these are not your typical sports jocks in great shape and blessed with good health. These are your grandparents, the older lady who lives in your neighborhood, the senior center participant, seniors who have made up their minds to enjoy their senior years and stay active.

To say this was the most exciting and inspirational event I have ever attended would be an understatement. Over 10,000 seniors 50 and older came from across the country to compete in events from shuffleboard to swimming to softball to track and field. There are eighteen categories of competition in these games. And I want to congratulate each and every competitor for their efforts. 

Go to the National Senior Games website  for results and information on the games. Please consider taking part in the Kentucky State Games to be held in Lexington, KY September 28 to October 2, 2005. More information is also available on the Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation website.

The National Senior Olympics will be held in Louisville in 2007.  Thousands of volunteers are needed to put on an event like this, and we will provide information in future articles on how you can participate!