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May 9, 2008

Senior sports competition coming to Rhode Island

Thousands of athletes are coming to Rhode Island this summer to walk, run, swim –– even bowl –– in a sporting championship event that shows that youth is not a prerequisite for strength and endurance.

The National Senior Games Festival and Hockey Championship includes 16 events for athletes 50 and older. Rhode Island competed against several cities, including Detroit and Ft. Lauderdale, to host the event, which is expected to bring more than 3,000 athletes to the state.

"Proving that 60 really is the new 40," Mayor David Cicilline said in a statement, "the National Senior Games will bring thousands of senior athletes to the great City of Providence for exciting competition. The Games will be a great spectacle, great for the Providence economy and a great inspiration for all of us who want to stay healthy and active throughout our lives."

Events, hosted by the National Senior Games Association, are scheduled for Sept. 4-7 in Providence, Warwick and East Providence.

The Rhode Island Sports Councilheld a press conference today to announce the event, which the council hailed in a press release as an economic and tourism victory for the state.

In addition to the hockey championship, games include billiards, ice hockey, pickleball, team bowling and weightlifting.

Competitions will be at the Rhode Island Convention Center and Brown University’s Meehan Auditorium in Providence, East Providence Lanes in East Providence, and Thayer/Warburton Ice Arenas and Boston Billiards Club in Warwick.

If you were 50 years old or older by Jan. 1, and want to take part, contact Ray Hoyt or Bethany Krogman at the National Senior Games Association, or Kerry Emmons at the RI Sports Council.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 11:06 AM | Permalink

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