Since it began in 1985, the event has encouraged thousands of older veterans to remain active, both physically and mentally. Many of the events began as recreational activities at VA hospitals and nursing home care units across the country. The first competition took place in Albany, Georgia, with 115 competitors. The event quickly grew into the largest sports and recreational competition for seniors in the world. The National Veterans Golden Age Games now has over 500 participants with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. The competition provided separate age groups and gender divisions where needed. Because many veterans also face varying types of medical challenges, events have been added for competitors with low motor skills, as well as those who use wheels chairs. This has made the National Veterans Golden Age Games a truly adaptive therapeutic sports competition that is a model for the other local, state, and national senior sports events.
This year’s National Veterans’ Golden Age Games will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 20 – 24, 2008.
For more information on this event, visit http://www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov or view the "Racing for the Gold" flyer.
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