2012 Kissimmee-St. Cloud Senior Games Begins
The 2012 Kissimmee-St. Cloud Senior Games kicked off this weekend with competitors taking part in various track and field, cycling and archery events. More than 400 mature athletes will compete in a variety of sporting events around Osceola County this week and other events will include swimming, table tennis, softball and the very popular pickle ball.
The men and women competing range in age from 50 – the youngest age eligible for participation – on up to include a 97-year-old bowler and a 90-year-old golfer. They come from around the state and even from Indiana, New Hampshire and North Carolina.
The Games are hosted by the Parks and Recreation Departments of the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Osceola County, Solivita, Kissimmee Good Samaritan Village and the town of Celebration from October 13-20. The Senior Games are a sanctioned event for the Florida Senior Games Series, acting as a qualifying site for the 2012 Florida Senior Games State Championship.
The events include both physical and recreational activities. Physical events include: archery, billiards, punt pass and kick, swimming, basketball shooting, bowling, horseshoes, track & field, shuffleboard, golf, cycling, race walking, 5k run, pickle ball, table tennis, softball and tennis. Some of the recreational activities include: euchre, mah jongg, cribbage, bridge, Texas hold’em poker and corn hole.
One of the highlights of the event is the annual “Celebration of Athletes” banquet which will be held at noon on Saturday, October 20, at the Good Samaritan Society Community Center. Special guests will be the Orlando Magic Silver Stars, dancers over the age of 50 who perform at halftime for the Orlando Magic Basketball. This banquet provides a way to recognize all participants, sponsors, staff and volunteers who help make this event happen.
Winners of the qualifying events at the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Senior Games will compete at the Florida State Senior Games Championship hosted by Polk County, December 1-9, 2012.
The Games are well sponsored by Osceola News–Gazette, Florida Hospital, Publix Charities, St Francis Animal Hospital, Remington Golf Club, AMF Bowling, Sidelines Sports Grill, CarePlus Health Plans, Inc., and the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau.
