Game On!
2022 Venue Spotlight: “New” Convention Center Will Host Six Sports and More!
The all-new Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center will be bigger and better with 1.2 million square feet of space and multiple upgrades including forward-thinking technologies, innovative dining concepts, versatile pre-function space and modern décor that complements Greater Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront destination.
The convention center will be the hub of activity for the 2022 National Senior Games presented by Humana. This is where all athletes will check in and congregate in the Village with its many attractions, and there will also be competition in six sports: Badminton, Basketball, Cornhole, Pickleball, Shuffleboard and Volleyball.
Stay Close, Book Smart Through NSGA’s Online Housing Program
Want to stay as close as possible to your competitions in Broward County next year? Want a guaranteed lowest price and no “gotchas”? NSGA has worked diligently with J Team Management to secure lodging options that better serve our athletes than online travel booking sites.
You will be pleased with the ease of narrowing your choices. Simply select your sport and the program displays those properties nearest to the venue and room rates. As you review you will find that we have negotiated best rates and terms, and you will have support of a team that understands your needs. Plus, you know you will be staying with other Senior Games athletes. Book now for best selections!
Unique Dining Experiences Await in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale is a foodie’s paradise with its more than 4,000 eateries, offering spectacular global and local flavors. Indulge in a variety of culinary experiences throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale’s 31 communities.
Enjoy epic ocean views from Takato, the new Japanese-Korean fusion restaurant at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. Take the Water Taxi to Shooters Waterfront for seafood, brunch or cocktails with a view or take the taxi to 15th Street Fisheries where you can also enjoy a variety of seafood dishes and even fried gator if you wish. These are just some of the many “dock and dine” experiences you will find only in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Discover empanadas, sushi, Southern fare, crepes and more at Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery, a hip food hall offering craft beer, artisan coffee, local art, and more.
On Las Olas Boulevard, quaint bistros and cafes, buzzy bars and upscale restaurants offer intimate seating and al fresco dining. Find a taste of Cuba, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Japan and more on Fort Lauderdale’s “Style Mile”.
For dining with a twist, join a food tour or take a cooking class and satisfy your palate with your delectable masterpiece. Whether you are looking for vegetarian or vegan cuisine, fusion or classic dishes, you can find it here!
Tune it Up and Turn it Up at State Games!
It’s encouraging to hear that Senior Games athletes are anxious and ready to “get back into The Games” and can’t wait to go to Greater Fort Lauderdale for the National Senior Games next May. It also means that everyone needs to get back into their routines to prepare and practice to be at their best.
Whether you are qualified or not, one of your best ways to tune up is to go to one of many Member Games around the country that are returning to action and offering as many events as possible during this recovery period. Many State Games are holding events in August and September so don’t wait to see what’s out there for you. Find up to date calendar and games contacts at the State Information Page at NSGA.com.
Association News
Personal Best Feature: Like Father, Like Family
It’s become more common to see children of Senior Games athletes age up and also compete, but it is unusual for a parent and child to compete in the same event, as in the National Senior Games in 2019 when then-77-year old Ray Tingstrom doubled up with his son Mick to play Shuffleboard. This required him to ‘play down’ more than 20 years to the 50-54 age group. Ray and Mick won a Silver medal, which made for a good intergenerational story.
Then we discovered that Ray has also been recruiting other family members and to date has four additional Tingstroms qualified to join them for The Games in 2022. His own lifelong fitness example, enthusiasm and desire to inspire others to strive for greater lives shows another facet of what it means to pursue your Personal Best.
Read Here: The Tingstroms Personal Best Feature
WATCH: Growing Bolder/NSGA Show Features Olympians, Athlete Chat
Our recent live program launching a new Media Partnership with Growing Bolder was as fun as it was informative! While we wanted to share details about how this relationship will tremendously increase awareness of Senior Games, most of the attention was on the athletes, including a closing video chat wall with invited athletes DeEtte Sauer, Tom Lough, John White, Philipp Djang, Kathy Bergen, Deb Smith and Yvette Matthews sharing their excitement with others including Olympic swimming icon Rowdy Gaines.
We have edited and archived this entertaining program on the National Senior Games YouTube channel, and you can watch it from the link below. Enjoy!
July Athlete of the Month
“I’m Grateful for Cycling”
Patrick Bohan, 57, Buena Vista, Colorado
Some senior athletes have to adapt to medical conditions and disabilities to compete, and most will tell you their activity is helping to keep their situation under control. When someone facing extreme challenges performs well enough to earn medals, the accomplishments are even more impressive.
“I should be needing assistance to walk instead of winning races,” cyclist Patrick Bohan says flatly.
Until his late 40s he regularly enjoyed hiking, running, rock climbing and mountaineering, but his life turned upside down when he was diagnosed with two neurological disorders – cramp fasciculation syndrome (CFS) which causes continuous muscle fasciculations (twitching) and cramping, and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) which adversely affects peripheral nerves signaling muscles in distal locations.
The result was weakness in limbs and other painful complications that took away his normal activities. “I’ve seen ten neurologists and been misdiagnosed four times. When they do an EMG my results show both myopathy and neuropathy, which confuses the doctors,” he says. “I needed to find an exercise that I could do where the pain and recovery are tolerable.”
Cycling offered the solution. People who watched him said he was fast on a bike and could do well racing. For his first races in 2014, he rented a bike and surprised himself by medaling in qualifying events and won a Bronze Medal for the 50-54 10K Time Trials at the National Senior Games in 2015. In 2017, he took Gold in both 5K and 10K trials, and returned in 2019 to win Gold in the 10K. He has also placed in road races. The retired electrical engineer feels humbled by his success. “I didn’t go into this expecting to win, I was more in a survival mode of thinking.”
He had found a pathway, calling cycling “the great equalizer” of endurance sports. “The pedal stroke is more forgiving than others. If your technique is a little off in swimming or track, you lose power and time,” he observes. “You don’t have to be as perfect with your pedal stroke.”
“Through cycling, I have actually built up neural plasticity enabling my muscles and brain to find new ways to work around the damage it is doing to my body,” he continues. “That said, the new pathways are not as efficient.”
Patrick recently authored a book, How a Neurological Disorder Changed My Life for the Better, and is donating profits to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy. The title reveals how he sees his experience as a blessing.
“If I want to think of this as a disadvantage, then it will be. But I look at the benefits of the disorder, which sounds strange,” he explains. “If you can learn to live and adapt to those adverse conditions, it really builds your grit and mental toughness. And that’s an aspect that many people don’t consider how to train for. I always fight every day because I don’t have good days now. You can have all the athletic genes in the world, but you also need the drive to succeed. Training will beat talent any day.”
His advice to others facing setbacks? “Do not give up, and if need be, try to evolve. And when people ask how to get better, my answer is to do something every day that takes you out of your comfort zone.”
“I’m grateful for cycling. The other things were taken away from me,” he concludes. “Without this, I would be a very lost individual. It’s giving me hope that I can fight. As long as I can keep moving with cycling, I’m pretty sure I can keep going for a long time.”
What’s YOUR story? To submit yours, or to nominate a fellow athlete, Please Click Here.
Senior Health and Well-being
Important Senior Athlete Well-being Survey Coming Soon
The health and well-being of National Senior Game (NSG) athletes is always a prime interest of the National Senior Games Association (NSGA), members and partners. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the health of older adults in the general population and disproportionally impacted various segments of the population including, American Indians, Blacks, and Latinos.
A population that has not been studied during this pandemic is senior athletes. As a result of Dr. Becca Jordre’s research with the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE), we know that NSG athletes have unique health characteristics and generally exceed the physical and mental health of their more sedentary peers. However, we do not know how the pandemic has affected each of you.
Thus, we’ve created a confidential survey to provide insight into your experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is initiated by NSGA Health and Well-being Director Andrew Walker, with researchers Hongdao Meng, MD, PhD, MPH, University of South Florida; Becca Jordre DPT, University of South Dakota; and public health graduate student Kelly Corcoran, University of Alabama Birmingham. As a result of the survey we hope to better understand how the pandemic impacted NSG athletes and where further support may be needed.
The survey is entirely confidential, and information collected will be used in aggregate to better understand this situation, current health and the needs of NSG athletes. Survey links will be delivered via e-mail but are intended only for those who qualified for the 2017, 2019 or 2022 games. By the end of July qualified athletes can expect to receive a survey which should take about 15 minutes to complete. Please watch your inbox for this important survey. We thank you in advance for taking the time to help the NSGA to better understand and support your health and well-being.
This article was prepared by Andrew Walker, MPH, NSGA Health and Well-being Director
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