I suspect we've all heard of the Senior Olympics, but probably never got into the details of it.
Quickly: people 50+, no upper age limit. Centenarians have participated. Events are divided into age groups, with five year intervals. Sponsored by National Senior Games Association. Regional competitions held yearly in all American states. Every two years, a nationwide event is held in one state (the National Senior Olympics). Five regions: Great Lakes, Northeast, Pacific, Southeast, and West. June 1970: first Senior Olympics took place at the Los Angeles Coliseum (1970 known as Senior Sports International Meet). The games continued in the 1970s and 1980s in the Los Angeles area. The Senior Games are now held in every state in the U.S. The Louisville 2007 games had over 10,000 competitors and 20,000 spectators
Events:
Archery
Badminton
Basketball
Beach volleyball
Bowling (Ambulatory and non-ambulatory)
Cornhole (Ambulatory and non-ambulatory)
Cycling
Golf
Pickleball
Power walking
Race walking
Racquetball
Road race
Shuffleboard (Ambulatory and non-ambulatory)
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Table tennis
Tennis
Track and field
Triathlon
Volleyball
Medals (images):
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=senior+olympic+medals&qpvt=senior+olympic+medals&form=iqfrml&first=1&tsc=imagebasichoverThere is a competitive element, but the SOs function also as a means to keep in good physical shape, while at the same time socializing enjoyably with like-minded people in the same age group.
A short Youtube video describing activities at such games, along with comments from some of the participants:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=%22senior+olympics%22+site%3awww.youtube.com&docid=608011826999621864&mid=424684ab605422ad7eae424684ab605422ad7eae&view=detail&form=vire If given the opportunity, I wonder how many of us would like to take part in one? A personal call, obviously. But I think we would all generally agree that the point of taking part in one would be to HAVE FUN while making some new friends, and hopefully just having a good time.
I know I for one would be the first to laugh at myself for falling flat on my face when trying to do even one of the more modest events. That would be the point: have fun, and maybe have a good laugh as well, even at oneself!
But for many it would also be useful to approach it not as a competition with others, but with oneself: to see just how well one could do when there's actually a crowd looking on, and one is thinking "I really CAN run a little faster!"
But whatever the motivation, a Senior Olympics participation might just be a rewarding way to challenge oneself, while at the same time having some fun!
The Senior Olympics sponsor's website, for those interested:
https://nsga.com/