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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.
 |
| Senior Olympics (NSGA) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Organisers | National Senior Games Association |
| Start date | July 24 |
| End date | August 4 |
| Host city | Des Moines (2025) |
| Level | National |
| Type | Masters athletics |
The games were founded by Warren Blaney.[1] In 1969, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission approved the 1970 meet.[2] In June 1970 the first Senior Olympics took place at the Los Angeles Coliseum (1970 known as Senior Sports International Meet).[3] The games continued in the 1970s and 1980s in the Los Angeles and Orange County, California.[4] Today the meet is known as the Senior Games (or Senior Olympics). The Senior Games are now held in every state in the USA.[5] In 1985 National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO) was formed, and in 1990 NSGA took over control of the Senior Games.[6]
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.[7]
In 2021 there are currently five regions under NSGA: Great Lakes, Northeast, Pacific, Southeast, and West.[8] These national games are supported by the National Senior Games Association.[9]
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.[10]
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Summer
The Senior Summer Olympics are conducted from 1970 the present day.[11]
| Number | Year | Host City | Number of Sports | Number of Athletes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1987 | St. Louis | 15 | 2,500 |
| 2 | 1989 | St. Louis | 16 | 3,400 |
| 3 | 1991 | Syracuse | 18 | 3,400 |
| 4 | 1993 | Baton Rouge | 18 | 7,200 |
| 5 | 1995 | San Antonio | 18 | 8,200 |
| 6 | 1997 | Tucson | 10 | 10,300 |
| 7 | 1999 | Orlando | 12 | 12,000 |
| 8 | 2001 | Baton Rouge | 18 | 8,700 |
| 9 | 2003 | Hampton Roads | 18 | 10,700 |
| 10 | 2005 | Pittsburgh | 18 | 11,100 |
| 11 | 2007 | Louisville | 18 | 12,000 |
| 12 | 2009 | Palo Alto | 18 | 10,000 |
| 13 | 2011 | Houston | 18 | 10,100 |
| 14 | 2013 | Cleveland | 19 | 10,881 |
| 15 | 2015 | Bloomington-Minneapolis-St.Paul | 19 | 9,989 |
| 16 | 2017 | Birmingham | 19 | 10,530 |
| 17 | 2019 | Albuquerque | 20 | 13,882 |
| 18 | 2021 (postponed to 2022) | Fort Lauderdale | 21 | 11,938 |
| 19 | 2023 | Pittsburgh | 21 | 11,681 |
| 20 | 2025 | Des Moines | TBD | TBD |
Winter
The Senior Winter Olympics were held from 2000 to 2011.[12]
| Number | Year | Host City | Number of Athletes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000 | Lake Placid | 265 |
| 2 | 2002 | Lake Placid | 240 |
| 3 | 2003 | Buffalo | 640 |
| 4 | 2004 | Blaine | 560 |
| 5 | 2005 | Blaine | 440 |
| 6 | 2006 | Blaine | 500 |
| 7 | 2007 | Blaine | 420 |
| 8 | 2008 | Providence | 500 |
| 9 | 2009 | Fort Lauderdale | 410 |
| 10 | 2010 | Rochester | 260 |
| 11 | 2011 | Rochester | 250 |
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NSGA State Regions:[13]
- 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
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Source:[14]
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
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:
Non-Ambulatory Sports Competitions:
- Non-Ambulatory Bowling
- Non-Ambulatory Cornhole
- Non-Ambulatory Pickleball
- Ambulatory Shuffleboard
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