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Gainesville, Florida
October 16-19, 2008

What’s in a number? For some in the fastest growing age group in Florida, they are getting ready to prove there really is not that much. Next month adults 50 and up from Alachua County and the surrounding counties will descend on Gainesville for the 8th Annual Gainesville Senior Games. This Olympic style multi-sport event offers athletes over the age of 50 the chance to compete for medals and qualify for the Florida State Senior Games Championships in December and the National Senior Games in 2009.

“The Gainesville Senior Games are truly an “oasis” from the stresses of our daily routines. Anyone aged 50 or over, is really missing some great fun, if they do not consider participating. There are sports and activities for virtually anyone,” said Christine Stopka, a participant in last year’s Gainesville Senior Games and a Professor at the University of Florida. “I found it so welcoming when I learned that prior experience is not necessarily required for many of the activities.”

This is the 8th consecutive year for the Gainesville Senior Games and through the years the Senior Games have become a highly social event. It is not only about competing for medals, but also making new friends. “Last year, I joyfully entered 11 track and field events. I was warmly welcomed and the games were extremely well organized. Most importantly, it was great fun,” said Stopka. “In addition, I entered 2 cycling events; although I do have a bit of cycling experience, these events were not stressful; they were a joy as well. The participants were all friendly and very supportive of each other.”

The Gainesville Senior Games continues to grow each year adding new events and increasing the number of athletes. “The inaugural games back in 2001 were formed with the help of a few local organizers and featured less than 100 athletes,” said Alex Alston, event manager for the GSC. “Now, eight years later, the event has blossomed to accommodate close to 400 athletes annually.”

One of the things that makes the Gainesville Senior Games so popular around the state is the chance of participating on the University of Florida’s campus. During this year’s Gainesville Senior Games, participants have the opportunity to compete on the Percy Beard Track at James Pressly Stadium and swim in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

New to this year’s Senior Games is the 40-44 and 45-49 year old Masters Division in Cycling, Track and Field, Swimming, and Tennis. The Gainesville Senior Games has been picked by the Florida Sports Foundation to be the beta test for the Master’s Division. “We felt that Gainesville would be the ideal place to test the 40 year old Master division because of the fitness level of the city and the great athletic foundation the university provides,” said Alston.

The Gainesville Sports Commission’s main focus of the Senior Games is not winning, but participating. The Florida Senior Games are about providing older adults the opportunity to compete at the local, state, and national levels. “Clearly, these games are a true “oasis” from the sometimes grueling routine of our daily work life. Escape the “ordinary;” come out to the games just for the “joy” of participating! You’ll feel like a “kid” again; you’ll make some new friends, and most likely, you’ll surprise yourself and quite possibly take home a pile of pretty medals!" exclaims Stopka.

The Gainesville Senior Games is sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation making it a local qualifier for the State Senior Games Championships. Every Olympic year, the Florida Senior Games State Championships serve as a qualifier for the National Senior Games held every non-Olympic year. This year the State Championships games will be held in Lee County and the City of Cape Coral on December 6-14, 2008 and the National Senior Games will be held August 1-15, 2009 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you would like to register or would like more information please call 352-338-9300 or email: jcacciatore@gainesvillesportscommission.com or log on to www.gainesvillesportscommission.com . Deadline for registration is October 10, 2008.

This year’s Gainesville Senior Games is sponsored by Shands HealthCare and are funded by the City of Gainesville and the Alachua County Visitors and Conventions Bureau. This Local Senior Games is sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation and is a qualifier for the Florida State Senior Games Championships.