Calgarians are going for the gold as All Seniors Games get underway
Mix of mental and physical challenges provides competition for ages 75 and up
Groups of Calgary seniors celebrated the grand opening of their own unique version of the Olympic Games Monday.
The All Seniors Games is the brainchild of Ronna Goldberg, who started the friendly competition 11 years ago in residential facilities run by All Seniors Care. Today, there are 31 such locations across Canada, including two in Calgary.
Since those inaugural games, Goldberg has proudly watched how popular the annual competition has become as it challenges both the physical and mental capabilities of thousands of Canadians ranging in age from 75 to 110.
“I love these games so much,” she said, as the event planner for All Seniors Care Living Centres. “The seniors train all year long and that means they are active all year long for, as the saying goes, if you don’t use it you lose it.
“It promotes a community feeling and helps people learn new skills. The games also take place at the most isolating time of the year, so that allows and encourages people to come out more.”
The senior games are a mix of mental and physical challenges including indoor bocce ball, petanque au tout, billiards, trivia contests, darts, shuffleboard, and ladder golf, along with card and board games.
Although it is a friendly contest, that doesn’t mean those involved aren’t competitive. There are medals for those who battle through to the final top three places in each facility.
“Everyone wants to win a medal and the people who were competitive when they were young, well that competitive streak comes out. Recently I had one resident, who was 90 years old, tell me, ‘I never knew I was competitive, but I so want this,’” said Goldberg.
The weeklong games began Monday with an elaborate opening ceremony followed by a milelong walk through each facility in which everyone is encouraged to participate, whether they are using walkers, in wheelchairs or moving unaided. Community volunteers lined the route, handing out stickers to every senior as they passed certain points along the route. That was followed by an afternoon break-dancing contest, in a celebration of that event being included in the upcoming 2024 Paris Summer Olympics for the first time.
“You have to put yourself out there and, perhaps, you might worry you look a little ridiculous, doing something you’re not at all familiar with. So, they are really brave,” said Goldberg. “And once they get it, they fly. They train with their kids, their grandkids, their great-grandkids, so it is really healthy for mind, body and spirit.”
Ellen Macdonald, a recent arrival at the Auburn Heights care facility in southeast Calgary, is anxious for the games to begin. She’s been training hard and hopes to do well in bocce, ladder golf, petanque, and the trivia contest she is entered in.
“This is the first time I’ve done this, as I’ve only been here about three months, so I’m new to it,” said the 84-year-old Macdonald. “I’m looking forward to this. It should be very exciting.”