Senior Olympics Set for April 24-25

February 23, 2009

MACOMB, IL -- Generation X, Y and Z could learn a thing or two from these senior citizens.

Being over 50 is simply a number. It's not a state of mind … and it's certainly not an excuse to become inactive. Just ask the seniors who participate each year in Western Illinois Senior Olympics. The 29th annual event for men and women ages 50 and over will be held Friday-Saturday, April 24-25 at various sites on Western Illinois University's Macomb campus, as well as in the Macomb community.

Seniors will compete against others in their age/gender category, which includes a five-year span (50-54, 55-59, etc.). Participants can take part in – and establish records in – archery and disc golf contests, as well as traditional events: golf, 9- or 18-holes (or miniature); biking; horseshoes; bowling; swimming; track and field events; and free throw shooting. More than 80 athletes from Macomb and the surrounding region participate in the games each year, according to Jim Miner, co-coordinator of the Western Illinois Senior Olympics. Participation in the Western Illinois event can help prepare competitors for the Illinois Senior Olympics to be held in Springfield in September.

Lin Stults, 60, and Gil Belles, 68, both of Macomb, are also competitors at the annual event. Stults, the owner of Engraving by Lin, became involved two years ago, while Belles, recreation, park and tourism administration professor emeritus, has been a participant for 12 years. During the 2007 games, Stults set a new record in bowling for the 55-59 age group with an impressive total score of 581.

Besides her sibling (Miner) serving as the event co-coordinator, Stults' connection to the annual event goes back to her mother, who took part in golf and bowling events and set a few records.

"The Senior Olympics are a lot of fun. I've had the opportunity to meet some very interesting people and make new friends. I'm looking forward to this year as I was challenged by another participant to come back and defend my record," Stults said with a laugh.

For Belles, the first seven years he participated, he took first – and set records – in his age group in the biking, swimming and running events. Even more impressive was that in 2001, with a
newly-broken collar bone, Belles still managed to swim in three races and nab first place finishes in all three.

"Regular exercise adds to the quality of life in physical, mental and emotional ways. Staying fit can't reverse the aging process, but it can slow it down," Belles said. "A few hours of exercise each day is much more rational than a few days – or worse – in the hospital."

Belles added that the Senior Olympics at Western has created a community of participants who gather for friendship, support and cordial competition.

"We are fortunate to have the participation and the wonderful facilities to support this event in Macomb," noted Mike Lukkarinen, co-coordinator. "I think our student volunteers are always quite surprised – and impressed – at the fitness levels of our participants. It's great for those students to see first hand that an active life is possible after a certain age. Our participants defy any stereotypes out of there of inactive seniors."

For more information or to obtain an entry form, visit wiu.edu/kinesiology/soindex.html or contact Jim Miner at (309) 833-4050 or JB-Miner@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing

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Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University