A quarterly newsletter published by New
Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc.
| New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc. | October 2002 |
State Games: 796 Qualify for Nationals
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The 2002 New Mexico Senior Olympic State Games attracted 1682 Seniors from over 190 communities. The Games qualified almost 800 Senior athletes to advance to the 2003 National Senior Games scheduled for Hampton Road, Virginia, May 26 - June 9, 2003.
The success from the State Games was discussed when the Staff reported how many new Game Records were either shared or broken. It is very heartwarming to see the level of fitness in our seniors, especially women, that are setting new records in Track and Swimming. This tells us our year-round programs and our mission to have Seniors involved in physical fitness activities is very worthwhile and the benefits are more than better health. See Game Records starting on page 4 in this newsletter.
The Games had over 350 Volunteers that were a vital part of the Success of this years Games. Volunteers that traveled to the Games from Alcalde, (Rio Arriba), Las Vegas, Alamogordo Albuquerque, Grants and Roswell said they would not have missed it for anything. These are repeat Volunteers that know how much the Games depend of Volunteers every year. The Local Las Cruces Volunteers were
Outstanding and Dependable. Our attempt to recognize special Volunteers this year with the Super Star Volunteer Program were very appreciated. Thanks again for all your hard work 2002 Game Volunteers.| New
Records Set in 2002 Alice Ladas (80-84, Santa Fe): two new records in Race Walk Anthony DeNardis (90-94, Albuquerque): broke four Track records Jackie Marr (55-59, Los Alamos): six new records in Swimming Ruth Pruneau (75-79, Roswell): seven new records in Swimming Wow! |
We heard from many of you the Recognition of our Seniors at the Opening Ceremony; Eldest Athletes & Torch Bearers and the Golden Athletes at the Banquet; past and present, was very special. Golden Athletes received a commemorative Game Medal. It is our hope to each year show-case the Senior role models that you have selected. We want to remind you to nominate your favorite Senior Athlete for the Annual Golden Athlete Program. See the Souvenir Program or the back page of this newsletter for details.
The Local Planning Committee all agreed the Games are a lot of work and long hours. We asked the LPC if Senior Olympics could return to Las Cruces and the reply was: "Ask us after we have had a chance to get some good rest." We all agreed the facilities at New Mexico State University and the City of Las Cruces are outstanding and very conducive for Seniors to get around. It is the Staff ’s genuine concern that we do not burn out the Cruces Volunteers and overstep our Welcome to the Las Cruces area. No decision has been made about the 2003 State Games at this time. NMSO will work with interested Cities in response to a Site Proposal.