Senior Olympics

History

The games were founded by Warren Blaney. In 1969, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission approved the 1970 meet. In June 1970 the first Senior Olympics took place at the Los Angeles Coliseum (1970 known as Senior Sports International Meet). The games continued in the 1970s and 1980s in the Los Angeles and Orange County, California. Today the meet is known as the Senior Games (or Senior Olympics). The Senior Games are now held in every state in the USA. In 1985 National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO) was formed, and in 1990 NSGA took over control of the Senior Games.

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.

In 2021 there are currently five regions under NSGA: Great Lakes, Northeast, Pacific, Southeast, and West. These national games are supported by the National Senior Games Association.

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.

Summary

Summer

The Senior Summer Olympics are conducted from 1970 to the present day.

Winter

The Senior Winter Olympics were held from 2000 to 2011.

State Games Regions

NSGA State Regions:

1. Northeast (12): Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C.
2. Southeast (12): Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
3. Great Lakes (8): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin
4. West (9): Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming
5. 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

References

• FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Austin American-Statesman, Austin, TX, Mar 10, 1975. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/362087695/?terms=Warren%20Blaney&match=1//] Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
2. Coliseum Commission 1969; via LA84 Library. [https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll13/id/4250/rec/1//] Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
3. San Bernardino County Sun, June 23, 1970. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/61274678/?terms=Los%20Angeles%20Coliseum&match=1//] Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
4. MastersHistory. [http://mastershistory.org/senior-sports-international-meet///] Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
5. NSGA. [https://nsga.com//] Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
6. NSGA 1987. [https://nsga.com/history///] Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
7. NSGA 1987. [https://nsga.com/history///] Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
8. NSGA Jan 18, 2021. [https://nsga.com/nsga-regions///] Retrieved Jan 18, 2021
9. NSGA. [https://nsga.com/30timeline///] Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020
10. World Senior Games. [https://seniorgames.net/history//] {{Webarchive. link. (2020-11-01 Retrieved Oct. 29, 2020)
11. "History".
12. "Winter Games History – National Senior Games Association".
13. "State Regions".
14. "State Games Information – National Senior Games Association".