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Athletic
Seniors compete in largest Veterans
Competition in the World
22nd Year of VA-Sponsored
Sporting Competition
WASHINGTON – An olympic-type event of its own, more than 700 “golden
age” veterans from 42 states and the U.S.
Virgin Islands have registered to
compete in
the largest sports and recreational
competition for senior veterans in the world
August 20-24.
Hosted this year by the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in
Indianapolis, the event includes competition
in 14 sports such as swimming, bicycling,
discus, shuffleboard, bowling and golf to
mention a few.
The Games is open to all U.S. military
veterans age 55 and older who are currently
receiving care at any VA medical facility.
The oldest veteran competing in the Games
this year is 97 years young.
The 22nd National Veterans Golden Age Games are co-sponsored
by VA, Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV) and
the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS).
The Games is the
only national multi-event sports and
recreational seniors’ competition program
for older veterans. It is designed to
improve the quality of life for all older
veterans, including those with a wide range
of abilities and disabilities.
The 2008 Games is a qualifier for for eight events, at the
National Senior Games in 2009 to be held in
San Francisco.
The National Senior Games is a member of the
U.S. Olympic Committee. This will be the
fourth time that veterans have had this
unique experience to compete at a higher
level.
The Games bring together veterans from all
branches of military service who served in
times of war and peace. Participants compete
in open, wheelchair and visually impair
divisions in specific age groups.
Although many of the competitors are of
World War II and the Korean War,
Vietnam/Vietnam era veterans are increasing
in number each year in this annual
competition.
The majority of the Golden Age Games events,
including opening and closing ceremonies,
will be held at the Indiana Convention
Center.
The opening ceremony will take place at 7:00
p.m. on Wednesday, August 20.
The event begins with a gala opening
ceremony to include music, a color guard,
the parade of flags from each participating
state and a ceremonial lighting of the
torch.
The competition begins with golf on Thursday, August 21, at 8:00 a.m.,
at Coffin Golf Course. Closing ceremonies
will be at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24,
at the convention center.
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