While U.S. Olympians were racking up 126 total medals in Paris, seniors in Milpitas were taking part in their own version of the games.
Older athletes gathered Aug. 5-9 at the Barbara Lee Senior Center to participate in team and individual competitions like a baton relay race, golf putting, basketball, a beam walk, a puzzle-a-thon, Lego building, an obstacle course race, cornhole and swing ball. The city’s first-ever Senior Games were hosted by Milpitas Recreation and Community Services to promote physically and mentally active lifestyles at any age.
At the opening ceremony on Monday, Aug. 5, Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua led more than 45 senior athletes in a torch walk that stopped at City Hall for a group photo. Chua said she was “so honored and incredibly happy to carry the torch and light the flame to start the games.”
Jennifer Reyes from Milpitas Recreation and Community Services orchestrated all events and acted as referee throughout the games. “Our seniors are active, competitive, energetic and awesome Olympians,” said Reyes. “Our hearts were full.”
By the time the closing ceremony was held on Friday, Aug. 9, Senior Game participants had an array of gold, silver and bronze medals around their necks. Athletes also came away with raffle tickets, and some managed to grab some more by taking a turn in a tornado simulator before the drawing, overseen by Mayor Carmen Montano, Milpitas Recreation and Community Services Supervisor John Macon and program coordinator Ann Marie Asis. It was all in the spirit of friendly competition.
