Living Well 60+ September-October 2014

y Dr. Tom Miller,
Staff Writer
If you still long
to feel the “thrill
of victory” in an
Olympic challenge, the 2014
Kentucky Senior Games could be
your chance.
From Sept. 2-7 in Frankfort,
seniors will compete in 23 different
events, including basketball,
golf, tennis (singles and doubles),
cross country, cycling and swimming.
Sports you won’t find at the
official Olympics but are staples
at these Games include corn hole
and pickle ball. The Games are
open to Kentuckians age 50 years
and older.
The goal of the Kentucky Senior
SEPT/OCT 2 0 1 4
Kentucky Senior
Games Promote
Health and Fitness
for Persons 50+
Games is to maintain or improve
the physical, mental and emotional
health of all senior Kentuckians.
Its purpose is to implement a
year-round program of fitness and
health promotion for Kentuckians
who are Living Well 50 Plus.
“There was a gentleman last year
who was in his 90s,” said Al Gordon,
chair of the Kentucky Senior
Games board. “He’s participated
in the Games for over 30 years.
He’s an exciting young man.”
Gordon has competed in the
Games for the past eight years.
His wife started competing five
years ago. She participates in
cross country, but his sport of
choice is golf. He enjoys seeing all
the people who come out to the
Games.
Take on an Olympic
challenge in a variety
of events
“It’s been an inspiration for me
to see the seniors involved,” he
said.
Seniors from all over Kentucky
participate, as well as people from
bordering states who want to
qualify for the National Senior
Games, to be held in Minneapolis
this year. “Last year we had over
300 participants and this year
we could get over 500 people,”
Gordon said.
The athletes may be amateurs,
but they are dedicated to and
focused on their chosen events.
“One of the biggest sports is
track and field,” Gordon said.
“Most participants are still walking
or running and doing those
events. There’s a huge horseshoe
group in Frankfort, and last year
2 5
that was one of the bigger events.”
While a main focus is the
competition, many of the athletes
come out for the camaraderie.
“It’s an exciting time for a lot of
seniors,” Gordon said. “One of
the things is the friendships that
they develop from competing
in the Kentucky Senior Games.
They come back every year to see
their friends and to celebrate and
continue to participate.”
While many of the sporting
events in the Kentucky Senior
Games are familiar, pickle ball is
something new.
“It’s growing really fast in Lexington,”
said Gordon. “It’s huge in
Florida.”
According to Gordon, pickle
ball uses a badminton court, a low
net, a whiffle ball and a wooden
paddle. Singles or doubles can
play.
The Kentucky Senior Games
encourages older adults to stay active
and fit and revive past fitness
and recreational skills or learn new
ones. Volunteers with expertise in
sports officiating or administration
are needed for the Games.
“That’s a big part of being able
to host state games, to have people
who are willing to work the event,”
Gordon said. “We invite younger
people to come and help.”
For more information about the
Games or to register, go to www.
kentuckyseniorgames.com.
“Get involved for your personal
health and wellness,” Gordon said.
“That’s why I do it.”
Additional reporting by Tanya
J. Tyler, Living Well 50 Plus
editor
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