The 26th New York State Senior Games were held in Cortland recently and thousands of seniors from across the state participated in a wide range of athletic competitions. But the Games aren't only about competition. There's much camaraderie and a few social events as well that make the few days in upstate New York a regular event for many participants. Thousands of athletes participated in over 20 competitive sports and recreational events. There are also instructional clinics, informational exhibits, and educational seminars. Each evening featured an informal social event planned specifically for Senior Games' participants. Anyone over the age of 50 qualifies for the Senior games, however the median age is about 65 years of age. This year's oldest participant was Irene Fiero of Middletown, New York who is 95 years old and competed in swimming. This year is special in that the top three ranked athletes in each age group and event can compete in the national games which will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2009.
During this year's opening ceremony, Carol Deloff, the Director of the Cortland County Office for the Aging, received a medal of recognition award for her tireless efforts to make the event a success. Carol and her staff work throughout the year to bring awareness to the games and to help the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the lead state agency, make the event a success.
NYSOFA encorages all older New Yorkers who have their physicians' consent to increase their physical activity and consider now training for next year's Games. "These active and engaged older New Yorkers demonstrate that a healthy and involved lifestyle opens countless opportunities to live an enriched life in later years," said Director Michael Burgess. The results of this year's events can be found on the Empire State Games
web site.(http://www.empirestategames.org)
