In the evenings we’ve forgone our movie watching (I can hear the collective gasp) and have instead kept the Games on. We enjoy the human interest stories from around the world; we like the competition and demonstrations of peak athleticism; plus, we’re familiar with the Tae Kwon Do-Lopez family, so that makes it a little more personal.
Last night, while we were watching some recaps and special interest spots, my attention was drawn to something I’d never even considered before: Senior Citizen Olympiads!
I couldn’t believe it as I watched the mini-doc about these advanced athletes competing in many of the same events in which our current Olympiads in Beijing are competing. And the old folks are kicking some ass!
The geriatric gent they talked with is a septuagenarian who is in better shape than either Scott or I! He is currently the record holder for the 200m track event, and he was joking about some of his elderly housemates, and how at the end of the day they’re in line for the elevators or trickling up the stairs because their hips hurt, or their knees are acting up, or they have a back problem. While he, on the other hand, is dashing around them on the stairs and trucking it right up to his room. He says he feels great, and I have to say he most definitely looks it!
I did a bit of research this morning and discovered that Senior Citizens are taking place in Olympic events all over the country!
In Staten Island, they’re involved in “…basketball, swimming, bocce, golf, pocket billiards, checkers, shuffleboard and even chess.”
Michigan has just wrapped up their 29th Annual Senior Olympics!
New Mexico hosts over 90 event across 26 different sports in 130+ communities!!
In 2009, the San Fran Bay Area will host the Summer National Senior Games!
And these are just a few of the cities and states taking place in this phenomenal demonstration of physical fitness and late-in-life wellness.
Scott turns 50 this year, which is the minimum age to participate in the Senior Olympics, and he’s actually considering becoming involved!
As far as I’m concerned, these Olympiads have given me a whole new outlook on aging. For most of my adult life I’ve claimed that I don’t want to get old; that I can’t imagine feeling twice as bad at 70 as I did at 35. Now I figure it all comes down to feeling good now, and planning on feeling better THEN!
So, congratulations Senior Olympiads on your achievements and triumphs. I salute you in your dedication for living well in your advanced years, and I thank you for the inspiration you have given this nearly-middle aged woman seeking some relief from looking and feeling like crap too much of the time.
See you at the games!
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