Posted on April 18, 2023 (Press Staff Photo by Juno Ogle)Lilly Fernandez, of Silver City, left, throws the shot put as fellow contestant Beverly Woods, of Deming, watches Saturday during the Senior Olympics at Fox Field. The competitive games for older adults saw track and field events Saturday including sprints and longer distance runs, shot put, high jump, javelin and soccer accuracy.

By The Daily Press StaffThis spring, tens of thousands of athletes from across the country compete, seeking the coveted gold medals of greatness promised at the National Senior Games aka the Senior Olympics.Started in 1970 by a small group of seven people in St. Louis, Mo., to promote healthy adult lifestyles through fitness and sports, the Senior Olympics has since grown into a nationwide organization that last year saw over 12,000 athletes compete at the national games hosted in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which included people hailing from Copper Country the southwest corner of New Mexico.Copper Country Senior Olympics offers 38 events from air gun to racquetball and huachas to pickleball and for the die-hard Olympiad fans there are the more traditional sports of cycling, bowling, basketball, and softball with myriad track and field events tossed in to appeal to any fitness level.The best thing about the Senior Olympics is anyone can compete no matter where you live even interstate residents so if you are a snowbird baking in the Arizona desert or a Texan whos apt to wander the West, you can register and compete in Copper Country.In the U.S., the senior competitors bracket is expanding at an exponential rate as the last of the baby boomer generation once our nations largest population demographic crosses over the age threshold of 50 years to qualify and compete in the games. Currently, seniors are the fastest-growing population in New Mexico, which promises to flood the field with competitors who seek the glory of a gold medal.Demings Beverly Woods has been competing for about 25 years and dreams of bringing home the gold. She has participated in shot put and cycling at the local and state levels, and she holds three New Mexico records.Currently, Woods is registered to compete at this years National Senior Olympics, scheduled for July in Philadelphia, Pa. Competitors must qualify in local and state competitions to qualify for the national games.Last year, I was second in shot put at the national games, and I brought home the silver medal in shot put, Woods said of her continuing quest for glory, which has netted her seven gold and two silver medals over her Senior Olympics career. Woods trains at the gym and rides her bicycle in between a little exercise at home.Use it or lose it, is what I say, Woods noted of her reason to keep participating in the games. The Senior Olympics helps motivate me to stay more active.Studies have found seniors engaging in physical activity can improve their overall physical health, and regular exercise has shown to increase balance and dexterity two important aspects that can keep seniors on their feet and lower their chance of falls and subsequent injuries thus extending their lives.Most Senior Olympians report the positives of physical activity is only one of numerous reasons they compete.Ive always been a sports fanatic, Silver City Senior Olympian Fidel Quintana admitted, but there are other things I like about participating like the comradery.One of Fidels favorite memories is running the 100-yard dash against his brother, Mario.He was 10 years younger than me, but it was still a close race, Fidel said of the unforgettable footrace. He regularly trains at Silver City Fox Field for his races and plays horseshoes for which he took home the national bronze medal at Bataan Memorial Recreational Park.Last year we had 132 participants, and this year we are hoping for more now that COVID restrictions have backed off, Mario said.For more information, visit grantcountysenior.wix.com/Olympics or on Facebook at bit.ly/3xn06aZ.

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Copper Country Senior Olympics opens monthlong event schedule - Silver City Daily Press and Independent