Basketball tournaments, eight-ball pool and Scrabble only begin to scratch the surface of the more than 50 events that will take place at the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics this September. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the NVSO games are open to all NoVA residents aged 50 and older looking to put their skills to the test.
Athletes can participate in nearly three dozen competitive events. From swim and dive to tennis and pickleball to bike races and bowling, there’s something for every kind of athlete regardless of skill or experience level. There are also more recreational events like orienteering, miniature golf and bocce ball. If backyard games are more their speed, participants can opt to play horseshoes or cornhole.
Competitors who have more limited mobility can compete in intellectual games. Sudoku, bunco, chess, dominoes, Rummikub and cribbage are all on the schedule with medals to be awarded for all.
The staff of more than 150 volunteers is expecting the number of participants to break 1,000 this year after a steady increase in signups over the past few years.
With the events—which are divided by age groups—spread across Northern Virginia, participants can also choose to compete in sports and games that are closer to their homes with minimal travel involved.
Registration is currently underway and will be open online through Sept. 2. For those looking to volunteer at the events, more information can be found here. The events are free to attend, and a complete schedule of events is listed on the NVSO website. The games begin Sept. 9 and conclude on Sept. 20.
