National Senior Games Association (NSGA)
Active aging through sports
Were you inspired by the incredible athletes who competed in the Olympics and Paralympics this year? Maybe it brought back memories of a sport you played as a child or reminded you of an activity you’ve always wanted to try.
Ready for some good news? You can become an athlete at any age, enjoy the thrill of competition and experience the many benefits of staying active.
Across the United States and in Canada, people ages 50-100+ participate in Senior Games events at the local, state and national level. Many tried sports for the first time in their 50s, 60s, or beyond, and it changed their lives.
Keep reading to meet a few National Senior Games athletes and see why sports may be the perfect way to start your active aging journey. You’ve got this!
Vickie, 67
Track & Field runs in Vickie's family - nearly all of her 10 children competed in the sport as youth. When Vickie retired, they inspired her to take up running and jumping for the first time as a senior athlete. Through hard work and support from the coach that also trained her children, Vickie has won over 65 medals, including six at the National Senior Games, since 2019 and found a new passion.
Read storySam, 81
Sam is a lifelong badminton, tennis and table tennis player, and passed his love of sports to his children “as a recipe for staying in good physical and mental well-being.” As he approached 80, Sam decided he wanted to participate in a major competition for the first time and began his journey to the National Senior Games. There, he saw a couple in their 90s playing, and he hopes to reach the same milestone.
Read storyJulie, 56
Julie “accidentally” became a triathlete at the age of 50. After devoting years to obtaining her doctorate, building a career as a professor and raising her daughters, Julie found herself with free time. Armed with a natural tendency to try new things, she started swimming laps and hopped on her daughter's old triathlon bike. The rest is history.
Read storyMore Resources
One-Pager: Research findings on the health and fitness of senior athletes.
Personal Best Stories: Meet people ages 50+ who demonstrate their personal best by overcoming challenges and obstacles, staying motivated throughout life and inspiring others by their example.
About NSGA
The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the benefits of competitive sports, physical fitness and active aging to adults 50+. NSGA is an Affiliate Organization Council Member of the United States Olympic Paralympic Committee and governs the biennial National Senior Games, the largest qualified multi-sport event in the world for seniors. To learn more about Senior Games opportunities at the local, state and national level, visit NSGA.com and follow @SeniorGames1 on social media.