Going for the gold
in their golden years

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It was a sight to see last week as some of the best athletes in Philadelphia gathered to compete for the gold.
They were ambitious.
They were athletic.
And they were over the age of 50.
It was the XXIII Annual Senior Games, and hundreds of energetic elders participated in various events including track, golf, bowling, basketball, darts and swimming, among others.
"It’s a great event for the seniors," said Lynn Spirro, director of older adult services for the city Department of Recreation, who has been involved with the Senior Games since 1997. "There’s something here for everyone. We try to expand not only their physical health but their mental health as well."
Some of the more intellectually stimulating competitions ranged from chess to Scrabble to dominoes, as well as card games like pinochle and bridge. Athletes are welcome to participate in as many events as they’d like during the weeklong contest.
"I didn’t do so well at the darts," said a laughing Joe Pauly, a 77-year-old Fox Chase resident who also competed in horseshoes, table tennis, shuffleboard and Scrabble. "But pinochle was much better."
The Senior Games, which originated in 1985, are sponsored and funded by the Department of Recreation. The Olympic-style competition spans five days and is held in various locations throughout Philadelphia.
For instance, last Tuesday’s bowling tournament was held at Boulevard Lanes in Northeast Philadelphia, but Wednesday’s smorgasbord of indoor and outdoor events was staged at La Salle University’s Hayman Center. Thursday’s putting and driving contest was at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Golf Club, with the swimming competition was held at Abraham Lincoln High School.
The final day of the weeklong fitness frenzy could be found at Center in the Park, a community center on the 5800 block of Germantown Ave. in Northwest Philadelphia.
"It’s a great opportunity to meet people from all of the city," said Anne Szymkowski, 72. "I really appreciate what they do here. I enjoy all the events. I haven’t bowled in thirty years, and I forgot how bad I was! Now I want to join a bowling league."
In addition to the various tournaments, the Senior Games showcased a Healthy Lifestyle Expo as well as indoor clinics and demonstrations last Wednesday.
The expo had a dozen tables that provided a wealth of information, from health care and a foster grandparent program to details about sneakers for diabetics.
"We’re trying to make it like a one-stop shop," said Ed Fagan, director of the Juniata Park Older Adult Center, who worked the registration table at the Senior Games. "We’re giving them an opportunity to enjoy themselves with the games, but we also want to promote a healthy lifestyle by giving them valuable information."
Once the older athletes were done exercising their minds, they were able to get the blood flowing to the rest of their bodies with tai chi, aerobics, yoga, line-dancing and belly-dancing demonstrations.
Belly-dancing was a last-minute addition to the lineup — the teacher for the originally planned dance kinetics was unable to attend.
"Everyone really seems to like it," Lynn Marshall, a Senior Games worker for 13 years, said of the belly-dancing class. "That’s the best part about seniors — they’ll jump right in there and have a blast. They’re so easygoing and energetic."
The event has evolved and expanded over its two-decade existence. About 500 people took part this year.
"I could do this every day," said Lawncrest resident Bill Harmer, 80, who competed in horseshoes, basketball, darts and bowling. "You meet people from all over the city and you have a lot of fun. It’s great to be able to do all of this."
Each event is divided into age divisions. Two of the older participants, Stanley Kaplan, 93, and Georgianna Jones, 91, placed in the bowling events. Kaplan had a 208 score; Jones rolled a 243 in the games. The top three performers in each event will be honored during a June 20 banquet.
"I’ve noticed there have been much healthier and more active adults here," said Fagan. "The talent and fitness level is incredible. These athletes have stayed healthy and continue coming back year after year." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com