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.[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]
Summary
Man with a bronze medal in swimming from the 2022 Senior Games.
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
