New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc
New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
December 16, 2013
Run dates: - January 2014
Contact: Cecilia Acosta, Executive Director 575-623-5777 Roswell NM 575.642.6048 (cell)
Email:
Qualifying for State SENIOR OLYMPIC Summer Games now much easier!
New Mexico Senior Olympics (NMSO) Board of Directors recently adopted a few rule changes which will make it easier to qualify for the State Senior Olympics Summer Games each spring. Athletes are required to qualify in the sport/event at local games in order to compete in state games. Athletes may now qualify at any of the twenty nine (29) sanctioned local game sites throughout New Mexico with the stipulation that an athlete must also qualify in a minimum of one event at the game site in the county he/she resides in. Visit the N M Senior Olympics website at for a complete list of local game sites. Another rule change no longer requires athletes to earn a specific place in local games in order to compete at the state level. All athletes competing regardless of local placement are all eligible to register for state games. Local Games are generally scheduled during February thru May of each year. Qualifying just became easier!
Local games are the “feeder” games for the Annual State Senior Olympics Summer Games, scheduled for July 16-19, 2014 at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell NM. State Games offer thirty different individual sports. Local games are planned and organized under the auspices of various statewide entities sanctioned by NMSOand vary from county to county; they are often affiliated with city recreation or senior programs. Each game site offers sports of interest to local athletes, based on available sport venues. Local game site coordinators work in conjunction with local advisory groups to manage local qualifying games. Registration fees and deadlines for local games vary at each site. Athletes compete in five-year age divisions, starting with age 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and so on, up to 90+. In the event there is no competition in aspecific age category; athletes are required to compete in an exhibition match/game in order to qualify. Game Sites are required to submit local game results to NMSO for qualifying athletes prior to May 30th.
The goals of New Mexico Senior Olympics are to improve and maintain the health and wellness of adults age 50 and older by focusing attention on the importance of regular fitness activity and sports competition. It is anticipated that 1200 athletes will attend the State Summer Games. Winners of the 2014 State Summer Games are qualified to compete at the National Senior Games scheduled to be held in Minnesota July 2015.
State Summer Games offers 30 individual sports so older adults are sure to find something to fit their training style. Competition includes Air Gun, Archery, Badminton, Basketball Free-Throw, Basketball 3 Point Shot, Bowling, Cycling, Dance,8 Ball Pool, Field Events, Fun Events, Golf, Horseshoes, Pickle ball, Race-Walk, Racquetball, Frisbee Accuracy, Frisbee Distance, Huachas (Washers), Soccer Accuracy, Softball Distance, Road Race Run, Shuffleboard, Swimming, Table Tennis, Talent Show, Tennis, Track, Triathlon and new in 2014 – Disc Golf. Current sport playing rules are available at or calling NMSO at 1-888-623-6676 or contacting a local game coordinator in your area.
Senior Olympics Summer Game is funded in part by the NM Department of Aging and Long-Term Services. NMSO is a private, non-profit 501(c)3organization headquartered in Roswell, New Mexico, Cecilia Acosta is the Executive Director.
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New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc. * PO Box 2690, Roswell, NM 88202-2690 * 1-888-623-6676 * (575) 623-5777
Fax (575) 622-9244 * *