Calling all Athletes (and Volunteers)! Senior Olympics Signing Up Sportsmen – and Women – 50 or Better!
The St. Louis Senior Olympics – an Olympic-style sporting event for men and women age 50 and older – will soon embark on its 40th year. The regional competition is accepting applications for athletes and volunteers to participate in more than 90 individual and team events over Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 – 28, 2019.
The St. Louis Senior Olympics (SLSO) is a highly visible and organized event, involving more than 1,200 athletes, 300 volunteers and 13 venues across the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. The amazing participants are “newbies” and veterans, competitive and fun-seekers, and they join us from nearly 150 neighborhoods across 12 states! The St. Louis Games is known as one of the premier Senior Olympics events in the nation. Its continued success is due to the incredible support received from corporate sponsors, community partners, longtime participants and dedicated volunteers who share in the excitement and camaraderie that is felt during those days of competition.
From basketball to bocce; soccer, softball and shuffleboard; to tap dancing, tennis and track – the events are open to everyone, so long as the athletes are at least 50 years old – and there is no maximum age!
“It’s truly a community-wide event that provides something meaningful for everyone who participates,” said Phil Ruben, Director of the event. “We have serious competition, friendly games and performances. We have volunteer opportunities for all ages. And in the end, we have recognition, camaraderie and enduring friendships, all built around the spirit of this great event. The Games are a chance for the entire community to come together to celebrate the accomplishments of OUR senior athletes!”
On Thursday, May 23, in celebration of the 40th anniversary, a full slate of programming is scheduled; including a senior Tap Dance exhibition, the AARP Fitness Fair and a one-mile, intergenerational “Walk of Ages” on the Jewish Community Center campus in Creve Coeur. Additionally, at 5pm, SLSO will host a panel with local St. Louis sports personalities, moderated by former Chicago sports announcer and longtime St. Louis J supporter, Jerry Ehrlich. Included in this panel (to date) are longtime St. Louis basketball coach, Rich Grawer, and Mark Gorski, Olympic Gold Medalist in cycling. The panel will discuss their accomplishment in sports, healthy aging, and how they continue to participate in athletics and fitness. This event is free and open to the community.
To register as an athlete or volunteer, see a complete list of events, venues and schedule (including the 40th Anniversary Kickoff on May 23), or to get more information, visit stlouisseniorolympics.org or call 314.442.3279. Paper registration forms are available at the J in Creve Coeur and Chesterfield, and at various athletic specialty stores and community organizations throughout the area. Deadline for early registration rates is April 15; final registration deadline is May 1.
The 2019 St. Louis Senior Olympics is sponsored in part by AARP St. Louis, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Edward Jones, Esse Health Foundation, Osteo Strong and Mercy Health. Additional support is provided by numerous area businesses and organizations.
ABOUT THE SENIOR OLYMPICS
The St. Louis Senior Olympics promotes the health and wellness of men and women 50 years of age and older by providing opportunities to participate and compete in athletic and social events. St. Louis is proud to host one of the most prestigious Senior Games in the United States. The St. Louis Senior Olympics is a program of the Jewish Community Center and is open to everyone.