by Randy Ooney
My Nickel’s Worth by Randy Ooney
Senior Games
An interesting blurb appeared in the local paper as well as the Minnesota Public Radio website. The Senior Games are coming to Minnesota. I had never heard of the official Senior Games, although as a senior, I may have been known to play a few games in the past. But this is a well oiled and organized competition for anyone 50 years of age or older who wish they were still 25 or under. The Olympic type set up is held every two years and includes sub division age groups and a myriad of sporting events. Some of the events will be Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Cycling, Golf, Horseshoes, Racquetball, Swimming, Ping Pong, Tennis, a Triathalon, Volleyball, and an event that many of us might take an interest, Bowling!
No, there is no wheelchair race, walker marathon, and the bowling will be done with an official USBC bowling ball, Not a frozen turkey or a bedpan.
Finally, Bowling is taking place in an Olympic style event. I guess it replaces Boxing for the senior Olympic menu. After all, they both start, (and end) with BO. But this is no joke. The games will last 16 days and it is estimated that 35,000 contestants will emerge on the Twin Cities and Bloomington venues to display their skills, ruin their clothes, spend three days at Mall of America, and spend their money to give our local economy a shot in the arm. We have not had that many rich old people in town since the Republican National Convention landed in St. Paul in 2007. You can get more information at the Senior Games website, www.nsga.com.
The good and bad news? Bad: The games are not arriving here until 2015. But the way things are going, our local economy will probably still need the shot in the arm, (or maybe CPR). Good: The games are not arriving until 2015. That means Smilin’ Carl and Slammin’ Sam will be eligible to participate. Lucky for me, I’ll be in a different age bracket.
But I have not decided whether or not to participate in the games as an athlete. It may be more lucrative to acquire a 1964 VW bus, decorate it with flower paintings, and drive among the venues selling Ben Gay, Cryogel, Bio Freeze, and Geritol. Who knows, maybe medical use marijuana may be legal by then.
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