Week 322-324 - Huntsman World Senior Games - 10-28-2012

Huntsman World Senior Games

2012 was the third year for Ellen and Pete to participate in the Huntsman World Senior Games. Our first visit to the games in St. George, Utah was in 2006 where we met our home town friends Brad and Janet. Brad was playing softball and has for many years. In 2012 there was over 10,000 senior athletics in 27 sports. The following text is from https://seniorgames.net.

Overview of the Games

The HUNTSMAN WORLD SENIOR GAMES, as it is known today, began in 1987 as the World Senior Games, an international senior sports competition. Founded by Daisy and John H. Morgan, Jr., the Games began with their vision of an international sports event for men and women ages 55 and better. Both agreed that the golden years were better when good health and physical fitness became a way of life, not an occasional hobby.

In 1989 Jon M. Huntsman, Chairman of the Huntsman Corporation, became the Games' principal sponsor after recognizing that the Games not only fostered lifetime fitness, but also expanded Utah's economic vitality. A proud supporter of the Games, the Huntsman family continues to open the Games personally, with a warm welcome to the athletes and the lighting of the torch in traditional Olympic fashion during the Opening Ceremonies.

Since its inception, the Games have been open to all men and women meeting the age requirement. The second year of the Games the age requirement was reduced from age 55 to age 50 to include more athletes and to encourage those looking at retirement to become involved in a personal fitness program or team sport.

A small full-time staff works year round and is joined by more than 2,000 eager seasonal volunteers to host 27 athletic events over a two-week period each October. Headquartered in Southern Utah, HWSG has become a renowned event among serious athletes from Japan to Russia and from Alaska to Australia. Scores of foreign countries have participated in the HUNTSMAN WORLD SENIOR GAMES, where peace among nations is fostered through friendly competition.

In addition to athletic events, the Games promote health by providing life saving health screenings for cancer-breast and prostate. Screenings also detect other serious health threats--glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and decreased bone density. Volunteer medical and nursing students assist with the screenings and generous sponsors provide diagnostic equipment and services.

Band concerts, dances, and awards socials for each sport are also part of the package, bringing athletes and guests together in a social atmosphere where they share in, and congratulate each other for, their achievements. This important aspect of the Games emphasizes the celebration of success for all participants, whether or not they win a medal.

An overview of the Games would not be complete without mentioning our volunteers--thousands of adults, youth, and children who donate innumerable hours to make this two-week event a treasured experience for all. From sport directors to entertainers, each volunteer plays a valuable role in the success of the Games.

As time marches on, the HUNTSMAN WORLD SENIOR GAMES will continue to host this one of a kind celebration promoting worldwide Peace, Health, Friendship, and as founder John Morgan reminds us, “Fun!

These 27 sports were included in the 2021 games (Chart from www.SeniorsGames.net).

Photos from some of the sports (again from www.SeniorGames.net). Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Cyclings

Cowboy Action Shoot, Mountain Biking, Pickelball, Roadracing.

Shooting, Shotput, Soccer, Softball

Swimming, Table Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball.

The events span a two week period. Besides the sports, there are many activities. The opening ceremonies this year were impressive as thousands of the senior athletes marched onto the field. There was music and dancing by the younger generation. And these kids enthusiastically welcomed the athletes into the stadium.

Ceremonies included sky divers, this one carrying Old Glory. One of the speakers was Morgan Shepherd. Morgan is 70 years old and is still a active NASCAR driver in his 35th year of racing. Morgan gave a powerful testimony of his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Festivities continued as the young dancers came on the field carrying flags from the 68 countries that have participated in the games over the years. Very talented singers rounded out the night before they lit the olympic torch and had fabulous fireworks. Every senior should attend this ceremony at least once.

Before you can participate in your sport, you must register at the Dixie Center. The entire town of St. George, is labeled Dixie this and Dixie that. The name comes from the time when Brigham Young sent a group of families from Salt Lake City to St. George to raise cotton. At that time cotton came from the "Land of Dixie" and the name has stuck with St. George.

In the Dixie center are dozens of booths selling "Senior Games labeled" clothing and most every kind of sports accessory you can imagine. In addition they are a few dozen free health screenings that we participated in. We both had the Carotid Artery Assessment and passed. Last year a lady was detected with problems and immediately sent to a local hospital for an operation that saved her life. For the rest of us mundane individuals, results of these tests are immediate as in this test or sent by email with lab analysis of your cholesterol levels and other blood tests.

Ellen got a bone density test while Pete had his blood sugar tested. Several universities participate in these screenings: Brigham Young, Dixie State College, Southern Utah, Utah Valley and San Franciso State University. Most of the staff are pre-med students. It's all free and fun!

We always spend a week before our Pickleball competition practicing at the courts in St., George. Then just a few days before our tournament, we head to Mesquite for a Pre-Huntsman Pickleball warm up. After a very dry summer, we had a few drops of rain on the way.

The rain dried up on tournament day and the weather was beautiful. Our friend Gary from Indio, California got some great shots of the players.

Between Mesquite and St. George is the gorgeous Virgin River Canyon, seen better without a windshield full of raindrops.

Back at Sun River, the host for our Pickleball in St. George, we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

This evening was on fire just before the sun disappeared.

Some of you expected us to bring home medals as we have before, but these games were attended by 560 of the best from around the world. Our friends Gordon and Mary did manage to win the Gold Medal in the mixed doubles 3.5 skill tournament in Mesquite. Gordon and Pete have won a few medals including Gold last January in Rancho Mirage. Mary and his husband Bill were some our early mentors in February 2008, teaching us Pickleball at Jojoba Hills RV park in Aguanga, California.

Well our bags are packed and we're on the road again. Leaving St. George we passed through Las Vegas and onto Laughlin, Nevada.

We spent one more night with Karen and Gordon before they headed to Indio and we visited Peggy Sue!

In the coming weeks we will head home for a few family gatherings and then off to warmth of Southern California and Arizona.

Until then, be blessed for He cares for you.

Love, Pete, Ellen and lonesome Mandy.

Photos from Oct 2012