Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 16

Going for GOLD in their
GOLDEN years
Senior citizens compete in the Georgia
Golden Olympics, National Senior Games

A

35 years ago, long before
most baby boomers began
thinking about being senior
citizens.
Organized in 1982 by
the Georgia Department of Human
Resources Division of Public Health,
the Georgia Health Care Association,
Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Robins Air Force Base, the J.W.
Fanning Institute for Leadership and
Community Development at the University of Georgia and the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources,
the games invited those 50 and older
to compete in six not-too-strenuous
sports, such as a horseshoe toss and
a half-mile walk.
"Originally, the focus was on
getting nursing home residents out

BARCLAY FERNANDEZ

few years ago, Vicki Pilgrim,
director of the Georgia Golden Olympics, was watching
a group of over-60 guys
run laps around the Warner Robins
High School track when students in
a physical education class came out
and started laughing at the "geezers."
"They thought seeing old guys
running was so funny," she recalls.
"Then the guys challenged them to a
race-and won."
The episode constantly reminds
Pilgrim, 66, that physical fitness
is important at all ages, but even
more so in the post-50 years, when
it can help ward off several health
issues. Inspiring seniors to get and
stay active is the goal of the Georgia
Golden Olympics, which launched

MARSHA BUZZELL

BY H.M. CAULEY

16

More online at www.georgiamagazine.org

to do things," recalls Pilgrim, who
orchestrated the early years of the
games when she worked for the
public health office. "We started with
60 people and six events. Now we
have 20 sports and more than 60
events."
Inspired by hundreds of stories
similar to the seniors outrunning the
students, Pilgrim decided to keep
working on the games after she
retired in 2007.
"I knew the program was not
going to continue, so I became the
director," she says. "I just couldn't
see it fall apart."
Above: Mary Ealer, 75, of Warner Robins
finishes the 500-yard freestyle at the 2016
Georgia Golden Olympics. Her main events
include discus, shotput, 50-yard sprint,
javelin, 5K walk or run, and 50-, 100-, 200and 500-yard freestyle swimming. Ealer also
serves as a volunteer for the organization
and has competed at the National Senior
Games in triathlon and freestyle swimming.
"Being involved as an athlete is my first
love, along with being social with other
competitors," she says. "I find that it is
often a renewal of friendship and that we
encourage and help each other. Of course,
the qualifying year is more serious, but the
'fun' is still there. I love it!" Left: Athletes
warm up at the 2015 National Senior Games
archery competition at St. Thomas Academy
in Mendota Heights, Minn.
GEORGIA MAGAZINE



http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - May 2017

Contents
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - Intro
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - Cover1
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - Cover2
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 3
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - Contents
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 5
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 6
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 7
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 8
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 9
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 10
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 11
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 12
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 13
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 14
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 15
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 16
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 17
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 18
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 19
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 20
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 21
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 22
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 23
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 24
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 25
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 25A
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 25B
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 26
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 27
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 28
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 29
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 30
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 31
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 32
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 33
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 34
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 35
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 36
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 36A
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 36B
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 37
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 38
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 38A
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - 38B
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - Cover3
Georgia Magazine - May 2017 - Cover4
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