From Sept. 15-26, Northern Virginia Senior Olympics returns, this time with three new events—Canasta, croquet and Beach Ball Wallyball. This year, due to a lack of a suitable space to play, volleyball was cancelled.
For 36 years, Northern Virginia Senior Olympics has given residents over the age of 50 from the City of Alexandria, Falls Church City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Loudoun County and Prince William County a reason to get up and get competitive by hosting more than 50 events suitable for a variety of abilities, anywhere from three-on-three basketball and a 1600 meter run to chess and a cornhole toss. The location of each event varies, but a welcome ceremony plus track and rowing events will kick things off at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center on Sept. 15.
Registration for this year’s events opened in June and has since closed, but organizers are still in need of volunteers. Those interested should contact Carly Hubicki at RSVP Northern Virginia at 703-403-5360 or visit rsvpnova.org.
Before they go for the gold, meet four of this year’s participants:
Alease Brooks
Age: 85
Resident of: Arlington
How she stays active: Played softball, tennis and golf and now plays pickleball, walks five miles per day and once each week teaches senior aerobics and seated exercises.
Years participated: 15; started with two sports and now takes on 11-13
Participating in: Bowling, four field events, pickleball and four track events
“I think that staying active is one of the most important things in life, especially for seniors, and NVSO makes it interesting and fun. Participating in NVSO changed my life in a way that makes me happy: I get a chance to be competitive and to try other sports; to take chances that I would normally not take; to meet new people; to see people that I haven’t seen since last year’s Olympics; and to have two weeks of fun and excitement. Most of all my children are happy that I continue to be involved. “
Rob Aaront
Age: 65
Resident of: Centreville
How he stays active: Ran cross country and track in college and currently works outdoors as a park maintenance worker.
Years participated: 13
Participating in: Four track events
“I look forward to September to compete and see all my friends.”
Carol Mackela
Age: 67
Resident of: Springfield
How she stays active: Dove on a college team when it was a club sport, and after a 33-year hiatus started taking lessons from an Arlington coach in 2006. Today, she dives twice per week with training partners and with area dive clubs like the Alexandria Dive Club.
Years participated: 11
Participating in: Springboard diving and table tennis
“Staying active allows me to stay in shape and as the NVSO motto goes, to ‘live healthy longer.’ Participating in NVSO and other diving events has changed my life by giving me a goal to work towards and making me give my best efforts in practice. I would recommend NVSO to others—there are so many events that there is something for everyone. It’s fun to get out, meet some new people and enjoy the activity, so just do it!”
Bernhard Stamm
Age: 79
Resident of: Ashburn
How he stays active: Bernhard was engaged in track and field in high school and later in life took up tennis. He goes to the gym two-three times per week and coaches nine seniors—all of which have won at least one gold medal—in field events.
Years participated: 9
Participating in: Six field events
“It has given me a new challenge past retirement. … Participating in the NVSO provides a powerful incentive to stay fit, physically and mentally. This is of particular importance for those seniors whose athletic capabilities are not what they used to be, but who still want to compete. This is why the NVSO has added less physical events such as pool, bocce and Wii bowling, to name a few, and non-physical events such as Scrabble, Bunco, Mahjongg, Bridge and other events.”
