Seniors compete at higher level in Nevada games

Seniors are getting into fitness for the fun of it.

The 34th annual Nevada Senior Games are scheduled from Sept. 22 to Oct. 12 at facilities across the valley, according to executive director Brenda Talley.

“We’re basically the only state qualifier for Nevada for nationals,” Talley said. “In order to participate in the National Senior Games, which occurs every other year, the participants have to qualify at a state level.”

Nevada is considered an “open state,” meaning residents from other states and countries may participate in the Nevada games to qualify for the U.S. nationals, according to Talley.

“Since we’re smaller and later in the year, we do get quite a few out-of-state participants that perhaps didn’t qualify in their state, so they’re trying to qualify through ours,” Talley said.

The games offer competitions for those 50 or older in archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, dance, golf, pickleball, pistol shooting, racquetball, shuffleboard, swimming, tennis, track and field, trap shooting and walking.

“There are other state games here in Nevada, such as Mesquite and Henderson, but they’re not qualifiers for nationals, except for softball and volleyball,” Talley said. “They’re just good practice for participants because they happen before our games.”

The Nevada Senior Games started in 1979 with 17 participants in six sports at Paradise Park, 4775 McLeod Drive. This year, about 1,000 participants are set to compete in 18 sports.

“Some people think that because we fall under the umbrella of the U.S. Olympic Committee that they’ll be competing against past Olympians or professionals, but that’s not the case,” Talley said. “You may play with people who are on a higher or lower level than you, but they’re just normal, everyday people who enjoy playing sports in their daily life.”

Although the games are hosted once a year, the organization promotes living a healthy lifestyle year-round, Talley said.

“We promote physical activity, health and nutrition because it will give seniors a better aged life,” Talley said. “The games allow them to have fun while competing and be supported by friends.”

At the end of each event, the top three competitors are awarded with medals. Although the games are competitive, Talley said most participants strive to achieve personal goals.

“I participated in the games for two years before I got ovarian cancer,” Talley said. “When I was going through that, my goal was to get out of bed and walk to the mailbox because I wanted to participate in the games. It wasn’t about winning; it was about just getting myself back out there, and there’s so many people who have similar stories.”

Former U.S. Olympic competitor Martha Watson volunteers with the games as the track and field coordinator. She said the Olympic Games and Nevada Senior Games are similar.

“It’s important not to win but to take part,” Watson said. “Just as the important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle and not to conquer but to have fought well.”

Watson, 68, started her track and field career as a teenager and competed as a long jumper in four Olympic Games from 1964 to 1976.

“When I was in high school, there was no track and field sport. I made the Olympic team by being part of a club,” Watson said. “What amazes me is seeing people older than me, who had less opportunities growing up, doing the games now in their 70s or 80s. I enjoy watching them very much.”

In addition to health benefits, Talley said the games offer participants social benefits.

“There’s people you only see once a year at the games, but they hug you and treat you like family,” Talley said. “We have a saying here: ‘You don’t stop playing because you get old. You get old because you stop playing.’ ”

Registration for the games typically begins in April and costs $35 for in-state competitors and $45 for out-of-state competitors. Additional event fees vary. Spectator admission is free.

For more information or a list of events, visit nevada.fusesport.com or call 702-242-1590.

Contact Henderson View reporter Caitlyn Belcher at cbelcher@viewnews.com or 702-383-0403.