The World Senior Games (since 1989 Huntsman World Senior Games for sponsorship reasons) is the largest annual multi-sport senior competition in the world (Most participants are U.S. citizens, but athletes from Canada, Australia, Russia, Japan and several other countries also participate).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The Games was founded in 1987 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, "with the mission to foster worldwide peace, health and friendship and lead the world in active aging.[8] All athletes aged 50 and over, of all skill levels, are eligible to compete.[9] No pre-qualification is necessary.[10] In addition to self-registered entries, invitation-only tournaments are also included, such as the Global Cup World Senior Volleyball Championships.[11][12]
| Huntsman World Senior Games | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dates | October 4–16, 2021 |
| Host city | St. George, Utah, United States |
| Venue | Greater Zion Stadium and other venues |
| Level | Senior |
| Type | Senior Olympics |
| Events | 34 |
In 2018, 11,033 athletes from around the world participated, including 349 softball teams and 213 volleyball teams.[13][14][15][16] Following the tradition of the Olympic Games, opening ceremonies are held at Greater Zion Stadium at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah, and feature a parade of athletes and a fireworks display.[17][18] Singing and dancing performances at the opening ceremonies are provided by the performing arts studio Diamond Talent.[19]
In many events, U.S. competitors' results from the competition serve to qualify for the biennial National Senior Games.[20] Swimming events are eligible for setting masters swimming records.[21]
In 1989 Jon Huntsman Sr. of the Huntsman Corporation became the Games' title sponsor.[22] The 2016 games had competitors from 34 countries in 29 sports, the oldest Daniel Bulkley, aged 99.[23] The 2020 competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24] The World Senior Games annually brings in an estimated $17 million in direct economic impact to the St. George community.[25] Brigham Young University students have provided free health screenings, conducted research at the games and published findings in peer-reviewed journals, and are a major source of volunteers at the competition.[26]
Events
editFor 2021, competition was planned in 34 different sports.[27]
- Archery - 3D
- Archery - _target
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Bocce
- Bowling
- Cowboy action shooting
- Cycling
- Golf
- Horseshoes
- Lawn bowls
- Mountain biking
- Pickleball
- Power walking
- Race walking
- Racquetball
- Road races
- Rowing - indoor
- Rugby
- Shooting benchrest
- Shooting handgun
- Shotgun sports
- Shuffleboard
- Soccer
- Softball
- Square dance
- Swimming
- Table tennis
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Trail running
- Triathlon
- Volleyball
- Walking tours
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "World Senior Games".
- ^ Reina, Hollie (July 31, 2020). "HUNTSMAN WORLD SENIOR GAMES". St. George News. Washington County Historical Society.
- ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games Named 2016 Best of State". PRWEB. June 15, 2016.
- ^ Castro, Ken (October 28, 2017). "Huntsman World Senior Games". MastersRankings.
- ^ "The Senior Games Off The Scale and Onto a Starting Line". Flipping Fifty. 17 July 2018.
- ^ Sprecher, Mary Helen (Sep 20, 2017). "Inside Events: Huntsman World Senior Games". Due North Media.
- ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games". Salt Lake Express. September 19, 2017.
- ^ "Welcome to the Games!". Huntsman World Senior Games. Retrieved Apr 22, 2021.
- ^ Schwartz, Gadi (Dec 20, 2019). "Super seniors compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games". 3rd Hour Today. NBC UNIVERSAL.
- ^ Wood, Robert (2014). "Huntsman World Senior Games". Topend Sports.
- ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games celebrates 30th anniversary". St. George News. The Independent. October 1, 2016.
- ^ "St. George, Utah, USA". Global Cup.
- ^ "Forde Denies Committing Funds For Huntsman Senior Games". bgis. Barbados Government Information Service. Oct 3, 2019.
- ^ Griffin, Andy (October 22, 2017). "2017 Huntsman World Senior Games conclude in style". St George News. StGeorgeUtah.com LLC.
- ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games". CSOBs Rugby.
- ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games closes with participation numbers rivaling Olympics". St George News. StGeorgeUtah.com LLC. October 20, 2018.
- ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games: A Place To Chase Dreams". Utah Sports Commission. 3 October 2019.
- ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games to welcome 'record number' of participants next week". St George News. StGeorgeUtah.com LLC. October 3, 2019.
- ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games Opening Ceremonies". Diamond Talent Productions.
- ^ Parrish-Kell, Bonnie (October 15, 2018). "2018 Huntsman World Senior Games Triathlon Results". Slowpoke Divas.
- ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games". U.S. Masters Swimming.
- ^ "World Senior Games".
- ^ "30th annual Huntsman World Senior Games breaking records in St. George". 4 October 2016.
- ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games benched by COVID-19". ABC4 News. Nexstar Media Inc. Jul 31, 2020.
- ^ Jorgensen, Janzen (October 15, 2019). "Old in Age, Young at Heart: The 2019 Huntsman World Senior Games". SUU News.
- ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games". Impact Magazine. Brigham Young University College of Life Sciences. June 29, 2020.
- ^ "CHOOSE A SPORT". Huntsman World Senior Games. Retrieved Apr 21, 2021.