FEATURE SENIOR
Game On! Polk Senior Games Return This Year With Outdoor Activities by CATHERINE CERVONE
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POLK SENIOR GAMES February 26 — March 12
Details and registration: polkseniorgames.org 10 | CFHN
his year marks the 29th year of the annual Polk Senior Games, the largest of the 20 local senior games held in Florida.
abundance of safety and concern for the participants and volunteers involved with the games in making this decision, Hopkins says.
Participants who are turning at least 50 years old in 2022 can participate in a variety of games from February 26 to March 12. Groups are divided by five-year age increments as well as by gender. The top finishers of each event will receive medals, just like in the Olympics. All participants go home with a commemorative T-shirt and the pride in knowing they’ve challenged their bodies and minds to do something great.
Though the indoor events aren’t being offered this year, Hopkins emphasized this as an opportunity to try something new. If the participant is able, this could be a great way to experience a new or different sport. The board hopes to be able to offer a full range of events in the 2023 games.
Last year’s event had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and some modifications have been made in order to safely bring the event back this year. The board of directors in charge of planning the Polk Senior Games is placed in a difficult position having to make decisions six months before the games are set to take place, Duane Hopkins, the board’s first vice president, says. While the events typically span from fishing to cribbage to sudoku tournaments, this year’s Polk Senior Games will include outdoor events only. The board aimed to express an
The games, even in a smaller capacity, are a great way for seniors to exercise their minds and bodies and interact socially with their community, something that’s especially important as they age. The event typically sees about 2,500 participants, but this year, organizers hope to get about half those numbers. So many seniors were disappointed last year when the games had to be canceled, Hopkins says. The organization works to provide the games in an effort to help the community. “We offer events that are designed to satisfy the needs of seniors to get out … and be active physically centralfloridahealthnews.com
