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Association News
Biggest. Games. Ever.
The largest multi-sport Olympic-style event in the world for seniors just got larger.
The 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana will have the most registered athletes in the 32-year history of the event with 13,712 athletes competing in 20 medal sports in Albuquerque. This represents a 30% increase over the games in 2017, and 14% higher than the previous high of 12,000 reached in Louisville, KY in 2007. New Mexico is the state with the most athletes with 1,516 participating.
The number was revealed by NSGA CEO Marc T. Riker and Mayor Tim Keller at a recent press gathering on the Albuquerque Civic Plaza. Riker cited the city’s support and extensive promotion of the destination to athletes as a significant factor in the increase. For more details, see our press release.
Game On!
2019 Games Helpful Links
Athletes all over the country are busy with serious training and tune-up competitions in preparation to come to Albuquerque. There will be emails with updates for participants, and here again are links to assist everyone in their final preparations. Bookmark and revisit for updated information.
- Hotel/Travel – Use our online booking program to get best rates
- Games Transportation / Venue Shuttles – Learn about pick up locations, venues served and schedules
- Sports – The individual Sport pages will have any specific information related to that sport, including competition schedules.
- Special Events/Village Page – In addition to our classic Flame Arrival Ceremony and Celebration of Athletes, there will be a movie night and a concert night at Civic Plaza, plus the star-studded “Launchpad to What’s Next LIVE” show co-sponsored by NSGA and Growing Bolder. The page will also have a link to find latest information and schedules for exhibits, entertainment and activities at Villa Ernesto Ramos: The Village Health and Wellness Expo.
- Volunteer – Many athletes offer to help in their down time – use this link to sign up in advance
- Altitude Information – Tips and advice to acclimate
- Albuquerque Visitors Guide – ABQ and New Mexico at your fingertips
Games Daily News, Photo Gallery will Provide Impressions of The Games
Once again, NSGA will provide an entertaining online window for attendees, friends and family at home to get a feel for the amazing gathering in Albuquerque. The Games Daily News online will have athlete features, news and links to results and other information each day starting on June 14. You will find a link on our home page and under the News and Events section at NSGA.com.
The news gathering operation will be powered by interns from the University of New Mexico School of Journalism, with Managing Editor Steve Carr loaned to us by the UNM Communications Department. Our thanks to UNM for helping to build Team Lobo.
Celebrate Your #RealSeniorMoments in Social Media!
Reuniting with friends. Sharing photos of the action. Celebrating a medal or ribbon. Family and friends together in ABQ. Meeting a celebrity or favorite athlete. Sharing special events. All of these situations are begging for you to add #RealSeniorMoments to your posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Show the world what active aging can be like by sharing your favorite memories from the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana. Celebrate fitness, fun and fellowship on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by adding #RealSeniorMomentsto your memories from now through The Games!
May Athlete of the Month
Pickleball Therapy
Athletes go through struggles on and off the field, but few have faced adversity at a level similar to what Kory Kelly has been through. After serving in Afghanistan as a member of the Air Force and on special assignment to other government organizations, Kelly was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to an extreme level where he would stay at home except when he had to go to work.
“I went to a therapist for five years,” he recalls. “Three years in, he told me that I should tell others my story and challenged me to do so.”
Pickleball helped Kory break out and conquer the illness. He was introduced to the sport with a funny name after his mother invited him to play with a few of her church friends one day. He fell in love with it. A week later, he moved to Lavon,Texas and shortly thereafter went to the local YMCA with his wife and entered a tournament to play as a means of entertainment. Since that initial competition, Kory has steadily improved his game by participating in 40 tournaments and now has a 5.0 player rating.
However, Kory found more than a recreational sport as he has gained the ability to share his story with others who are suffering from the disorder. He even has a phrase to describe it.
“I coined the phrase ‘pickleball therapy’,” he says. “Shortly after I began playing, I started saying that pickleball was free therapy for me, and I started opening up about my PTSD. I realized the game made my mood better, and the people I played with became my family. I’m doing something healthy for my mind and body. It’s free pickleball therapy every time that I play.”
The free therapy he receives from the sport he has come to love has given him the opportunity to share his story with other people that may be suffering similar difficulties. Kory, like others with the affliction, is susceptible to loud noises and competes with earplugs to avoid distractions.
After his many challenges, including medical issues with his kidneys last year, Kory is excited to travel to Albuquerque to participate in his first National Senior Games thanks to assistance from the “Hand Up From Humana” program that was offered this year.
His playing attire is a conversation starter. People will have no trouble finding Kelly during a tournament as he sports the colors of the United States- red, white and blue- to show his affirmation for the country he served honorably.
Thank you for your service, Kory, and welcome to your family in the Senior Games Movement.
Feature by Vincent Pensabene
We want to hear more great stories! To submit yours, or to nominate a fellow athlete who inspires you, Please Click Here.
Senior Health and Wellness
Prepare to Compete and Enjoy Your 2019 Games Experience
It’s almost time to compete! Here’s some training resources and activities to enhance your performance and knowledge about your health and wellness.
Update to Online Resources from the American Council on Exercise (ACE): Please check out new links and content that can now be accessed at ACE Training Tips, without having a special login and password. Curated, expert fitness information from ACE is organized in four concise links:Exercise Library, Expert Articles on Healthy Aging, ACE Healthy Living Blog, and Tools and Calculators. In the ACE Healthy Living Blog you will find several articles that can enhance your training program prior to The Games. Check out “Meditation Made Easy” to sharpen your mental focus, and “Run Faster with Just 3 Workouts per Week” will help fine-tune your training. Non-runners can apply the concepts shared within the article to any sport. In addition, you can learn how to stay injury free by reading the article, “9 Signs of Overtraining.”
Good Things in The Village: The Villa Ernesto Ramos: TheVillage Health and Wellness Expo will be the hub of activity during The Games. Here you will find daily opportunities to participate in interactive demonstrations, and fitness presentations. Morning wake up activities, dancing, wall climbing, tai chi, music, and games like dominoes and Connect 4 represent a few of the many stimulating wellness activities
Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE): The SAFE fitness assessment has been located in The Village since 2011 and is specifically designed for Senior Games athletes to better understand their fitness strengths and deficits in order to maximize performance and prevent injuries. With support from physical therapists from the New Mexico Physical Therapy Association and the University of New Mexico, there will be greater capacity to assess more athletes with shorter wait times to complete strength, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular health assessments. There will also be an education station where athletes can get more detailed feedback on training techniques and health, based on their SAFE results.
High Altitude Tips: Remember to increase your knowledge on altitude preparation by accessing the Altitude and You Albuquerque flyer.
Good Luck, Athletes
Five Star Senior Living Announces Sponsorship of The Games
NSGA is pleased to have Five Star Adult Living, one of the nation’s leading providers of services to older adults, join our ranks as a Premier Sponsor for the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana.
Five Star Senior Living provides services to over 25,000 older adults through its over 280 senior living communities and Ageility Physical Therapy gyms across the country. Official press release is linked below, and please make time to visit their booth in Villa Ernesto Ramos:The Village Health and Wellness Expo within the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Release: Five Star Senior Living Partners with NSGA
NSGA Online Merchandise Store
