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| New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc. | Summer 2005 |
THIRD ANNUAL
A Big Success in Spite of the Snow!
589 athletes, spectators and volunteers registered to
attend the All Indian Game Day on March 16th when the northern part of the state
was hit with a late snowstorm dropping over 30 inches in some areas. The deep
snow closed off several rural areas making pick up by community vans impossible.
Yet 289 athletes, spectators, staff and volunteers still were able to make the
day a great success.
This year the Pueblo of Sandia hosted the Games and provided the excellent lunch. A huge ‘thank you’ goes out to all those on the Local Planning Committee and over 90 volunteers who braved the weather to assist as event managers and event staff.
Athletes from thirteen pueblos attended and, for the first time, the Navajo Nation joined in the competition. This year, the award for highest number of points for Younger Elders went to the new kids on the block- the Navajo Nation. Runner up for Younger Elders was the Pueblo of Acoma. The high score for Elder Elders went to Pueblo of Acoma and runner up for Elder Elders was the Pueblo of Isleta. Congratulations to all.
Just participating makes a difference. Ruth Secatero, the
Supervisor for To’Hajiiliee, Navajo Nation, says that her group was so fired up
they have already started several new athletic events and activities with many
more in the planning stages. Which only goes to prove the Senior Olympic motto
“You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you
stop playing!”
Other Health Promotion Projects in the news:
Las Vegas, Gallup, Santa Fe, and Española wrapped up this years season of Senior Treks to Healthy Fitness. Each event offered a Sport clinic with instruction for both the beginner and the advanced as well as workshops on Health and Fitness related topics, Free Health Screening, Fitness Assessments, and refreshments.
Santa Fe and Española featured special balance workshops, providing exercise and balance kits for the participants to take home.
Los Alamos hosted 25 seniors in a 5-part Balance and Exercise workshop for two hours each Friday in May. These seniors were instructed on how to increase awareness, strength training and regular exercise, and home safety.