Annual Olympiatrics Encourages Physical Activity

Annual Olympiatrics Encourages Physical Activity


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Sammy Linebaugh ReportingThey play horseshoes, soccer, basketball, just about everything. They are the participants in this year's senior sports fest called the Olympiatrics.

‘Toy’ Hansen, San Pete County Resident: "I think it's cool that all these old timers, they get 'em out and keep 'em active."

Nearly 200 seniors representing 20 local assisted living and long term care facilities tried their hand today at half a dozen different sports from bowling to baseball.

Tracy Evans, Three-Time Olympian Freestyle Aerials: "I just had a woman who is 95-years old over at the darts throwing balls. They wouldn't even stick she was throwing so hard."

Three-time Olympian Tracy Evans is among several Olympic athletes, including gold medalist Nikki Stone, who helped put on today's event, with the simple goal to promote physical activity.

Tracy Evans: "This gives them a little time to train for a fun event, come and get together with other long term care facilities, other seniors, and really just have fun."

Sam Khahikina: "A gathering like this, draws people together, everybody has fun."

Hienei Stiehl: "Suppose it gives everyone a chance to see what they can do."

And what they can do is wow us all.

Charlene McKenzie: "I can't believe it, I’ve never been to anything like this before."

The Utah Olympiatrics have been running since 1984. With each year a bigger and bigger success, organizers hope to take the program national in 2004.

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