The National Senior Games (Senior Olympics) are a sports competition for senior citizens in the United States. It is conducted by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) once every two years. Akin to the Summer Olympics, it is a multi-sport event devoted to adults above the age of 50. It consists of regional competitions held yearly in all states of the US.
History The games were founded by Warren Blaney.Austin American-Statesman, Austin, TX, Mar 10, 1975. Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020 In 1969, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission approved the 1970 meet.Coliseum Commission 1969; via LA84 Library. Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020 In June 1970 the first Senior Olympics took place at the Los Angeles Coliseum (1970 known as Senior Sports International Meet).San Bernardino County Sun, June 23, 1970. Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020 The games continued in the 1970s and 1980s in the Los Angeles and Orange County, California.MastersHistory. Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020 Today the meet is known as the Senior Games (or Senior Olympics). The Senior Games are now held in every state in the USA.NSGA. Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020 In 1985 National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO) was formed, and in 1990 NSGA took over control of the Senior Games.NSGA 1987. Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
A 1987 version attracted 2,500 people. Recent attendance (Louisville, 2007) had over 10,000 competitors and 20,000 spectators, with oldest competitors being over 100 years old.NSGA 1987. Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
In 2021 there are currently five regions under NSGA: Great Lakes, Northeast, Pacific, Southeast, and West.NSGA Jan 18, 2021. Retrieved Jan 18, 2021 These national games are supported by the National Senior Games Association.NSGA. Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
The Huntsman World Senior Games is an international senior sports competition begun in 1987. The 27 athletic events held in Southern Utah begin with the torch lighting in traditional Olympic fashion during the Opening Ceremonies.World Senior Games. Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
Summary
Summer
The Senior Summer Olympics are conducted from 1970 to the present day. +NumberYearHost cityNumber of SportsNumber of Athletes11987St. Louis152,50021989St. Louis163,40031991Syracuse183,40041993Baton Rouge187,20051995San Antonio188,20061997Tucson1010,30071999Orlando1212,00082001Baton Rouge188,70092003Hampton Roads1810,700102005Pittsburgh1811,100112007Louisville1812,000122009Palo Alto1810,000132011Houston1810,100142013Cleveland1910,881152015Bloomington-Minneapolis-St.Paul199,989162017Birmingham1910,530172019Albuquerque2013,882182021 (postponed to 2022)Fort Lauderdale2111,938192023Pittsburgh2111,681202025Des MoinesTBDTBD
Winter The Senior Winter Olympics were held from 2000 to 2011. NumberYearHost cityNumber of Athletes12000Lake Placid26522002Lake Placid24032003Buffalo64042004Blaine56052005Blaine44062006Blaine50072007Blaine42082008Providence50092009Fort Lauderdale410102010Rochester260112011Rochester250
State Games Regions NSGA State Regions:
Northeast (12): Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C. Southeast (12): Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia Great Lakes (8): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin West (9): Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming Pacific (10): Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Senior State Games Source:
Empire State Senior Games USOC Festivals
The USOC Sports Festivals were in the 80s. Teams of North, East, South and West competed in a domestic Olympics.
Many states have held and still hold Sports Festivals.
Keystone State Games in Pennsylvania Empire State Games in New York Prairie State Games in Illinois
Master and Senior Games
NSGA Qualifying Games
Veterans Games
Canada Games
Sports Individual Sports Competitions in the Senior Games:
Archery Badminton Basketball Shooting-Skills Billiards 8-Ball Bowling Cornhole Cycling Disc Golf Golf Pickleball Powerwalk Powerlifting Race Walk Racquetball Road Race Shuffleboard Swimming Table Tennis Tennis Track & Field Triathlon Team Sports Competitions:
Basketball Badminton Beach Volleyball Soccer Softball Tennis Volleyball
Non-Ambulatory Sports Competitions:
Non-Ambulatory Bowling Non-Ambulatory Cornhole Non-Ambulatory Pickleball Ambulatory Shuffleboard
See also Huntsman World Senior Games Senior sport Masters athletics (track and field)
References
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
External links Bay Area Senior Games Wyoming Winter Senior Olympics Wyoming Summer Senior Olympics National Senior Games Association NSGA Results and Records NSGA Dates and locations of previous Senior Games World Senior Games Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins age 103 wins several gold medals Deborah Wheeler, Local octogenarian wins in Olympics, The Walton Sun, July 5, 2007 Dan Farrand, Golden memories: Local athletes win medals at Senior Olympics , NewsTimesLive, Jul 06 2007 Associated Press, Gray grit: boom times for Senior Games, July 4, 2007 Masters Events PBS Documentary, Age of Champions State by State Senior Games links Wisconsin Senior Olympics World Masters Games Desert Recreation: Palm Desert Senior Games