(Stanford, California)
The Summer Olympic Games begin in Beijing a week from today; but, closer to home, Olympic organizers are gearing up for a different kind of games - an event we may see far more of. At a news conference at Stanford University today, details of the "Summer National Senior Games" were announced. The Bay Area (and specifically Palo Alto) will be hosting the games from August 1 through 15, 2009. Yes, opening ceremonies are a year from today.
"Big deal," you say. "We want the real Olympics!" Well, this may be a foreshadowing of things to come. Next year 12,000 athletes from around the nation will be competing in eighteen medal sports and seven demonstration sports around the Bay. That should translate to an economic impact of more than $35 million dollars to the local economy. That ain't bad. 
"This will be bigger than Beijing," said Anne Warner Cribbs, president of the local organizing committee. "More athletes will be competing." Cribbs knows a little something about this business; she represented the U.S. in swimming in the 1960 Olympics.
"This will be bigger than Beijing," said Anne Warner Cribbs, president of the local organizing committee. "More athletes will be competing." Cribbs knows a little something about this business; she represented the U.S. in swimming in the 1960 Olympics. Local elected officials are thrilled about all the business coming here.
The point is, most people are living longer and healthier lives, so why not compete in athletic games for medals. And that means this concept could become big business. After all, as I pointed out at the news conference today, people scoffed as the Seniors' Golf Tour when it was first launched. Many thought it would fail. It's now a multimillion-dollar enterprise, with a TV contract and huge respect and notoriety. Why? Because people like good competitive golf, whether it's Tiger Woods in his 30's or Jack Nicklaus in his 70's.
The same thing could happen to these Senior Games! While it is primarily a U.S. competition for now, the games will be expanding into Europe, with Fall Games in the Netherlands in September of 2009 with upwards of 5,000 athletes. Could further international competition be far behind? "My dream is that one day we will have World Senior Games," said National Senior Games President, Phil Godfrey, "that it will be on par with the Olympics."
Senior swimmer Daniela Barnea echoed those international hopes. "I grew up in Israel, where there were no pools to swim in," Barnea said. "I got here and joined the master's program. I enjoy swimming. I enjoy the workout."
So where do the politics come in? Well, promoting international cooperation and goodwill has always been a goal of the Olympics, even if that has at times fallen short. It's interesting to note that these Senior Games will have an environmental emphasis and goals. For example, at the games last year in Louisville, the athletes were given 50,000 plastic water bottles. Not this time. Each will be given a stainless steel water container, and there will be so-called "hydration stations" all over campus. The idea is to cut down on trash and pollution. "These games will be green," said organizer Anne Warner Cribbs.
The games also promote good global health. Obesity in America is a big problem. Smoking in Asia is a fast- growing threat. Any promotion of good health could counter those trends. As I say, the spirit of international cooperation is at the heart of these efforts. "I am a zealot for health, exercise and fitness," said Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss. Palo Alto Mayor Larry Klein echoed the public health example that will be set. "There are going to be 12,000 people here competing," Klein said. "We want this for our society so that we don't have an epidemic of Type II Diabetes."
The sweetest and most poignant moment came today from senior basketball player Don De Lutis. He lamented that his team of all-stars would now be playing in the 75-to-79 age division. Two of his 74-year- old players will have to play for a different squad. "Hopefully, we'll win the gold medal next year," said De Lutis. "At least that's our goal."
The games at Stanford next year need two things: Moral support and volunteers. The first part is easy. ALL events will be free to the public to watch. That should bring people out and at least generate some revenue through vendor and food sales. The second part is more challenging. Organizers need 4,000 volunteers to help put on these games. Sign up if you can. More information is available at www.2009seniorgames.org. I consider the two political conventions as "the Olympics of politics," and they are coming soon. I will be in both Denver and St. Paul, starting August 24. Check in often at www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.
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