Daily Mirror

WINNING SILVER

50 pensioners go for gold as six care homes hold their own Olympic games

- BY BYMARTIN MARTIN FRICKER martin.fricker@mirror.co.uk @martinfric­ker

SPORTY pensioners have proved that Covid is no great hurdle by staging their own Olympics.

More than 50 residents at six care homes took part in a fourday Virtual Senior Games competitio­n, featuring foam javelin, golf putting, target mat and tin can alley as the main events.

They even held a torch relay and handed out gold, silver and bronze medals at ceremonies.

Six homes in Swindon,

Wilts, took part – Guinness Care, Hurst House,

Kings Court, Lansdown

Hill , Park View and Ridgeway Rise.

Each was sent an activity pack and the six best performanc­es from each event were judged for medal places. Guinness Care’s team were the eventual victors

STEADY HAND Target mat contestant lines up throw and organisers i h hope next t year’s ’ games can be held face-to-face.

All the events had been planned in considerat­ion of the elderly participan­ts’ physical and mental abilities. A spokesman for organisers Swindon Sports Forum said: “Some amazing results were seen over the four activities, with every home recording incredible scores.

“As well as testing the residents’ skills, the games offered a chance to have a little bit of fun during these challengin­g times.

“In 2021 it is planned to hold an in-person games and all the care homes have already expressed how they cannot wait to take part again.

“Swindon Sports Forum plans to run the event bigger and better with more care homes able to take part.”

HOLE LOT OF FUN Golf putting competitio­n

FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER... OLDER Winners show off their ‘Olympic’ medals

Some amazing results were seen over the activities

SWINDON SPORTS FORUM ORGANISER

 ??  ?? KNOCK ’EM DOWN Tin can alley event proves a big hit
KNOCK ’EM DOWN Tin can alley event proves a big hit

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