For this year’s Huntsman World Senior Games, the Games celebrated its 31st year in operation from October 9th to the 21st. Originally titled the World Senior Games in 1987, the Games opened the gates for seniors of 55+ all around the world to come participate in these sporting events. Not only did this promote a healthy lifestyle for seniors, but helped boost Southern Utah’s economy at the time – and still does the same today.

This year, the Games boasted a diverse group of athletes from 34 countries and all 50 states in the U.S. In 2016, a whopping 11,000 athletes participated in the games. A small staff works year-round to make sure the event will run smoothly during the two-week period the Games run every October. Accompanying the staff, over 2,500 volunteers from all across Utah, including locals from St. George and Dixie State University, help make the Games what it is today.

Since 1987, the Games has lowered the minimum age to 50 to join in this Olympic-style event. These seasonal games host over 30 athletic events every year, including basketball, golf, cycling, softball, and swimming, to name a few. For a complete list of all the events that the Games offer, click here. The Games also help its participants by providing screenings for breast cancer and prostate cancer, along with other serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, and elevated cholesterol, all thanks to medical volunteers and nursing students that help these screenings happen. The Games is also backed by a list of generous sponsors that help in the games as a way to help out the community all around.

This year, the opening ceremony kicked off on Tuesday, October 10th at the Legend Solar Arena at Dixie State University. The ceremony celebrated the diversity and tenacity of all its participants, as well as crediting the vast list of people, including volunteers and sponsors, that made the games happen. The ceremony featured entertainment for those attending, including singing, dancing, fireworks, the cauldron lighting, and a guest speaker. This year’s guest speaker was James Lawrence, an athletic inspiration who was the first man to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days.

Registration for the 2018 Senior Games are already open, giving athletes another year to train for the next games. As this event keeps growing with more athletes and volunteers, it continues to bring vitality to the culture and economy here in Southern Utah, fostering friendship and peace amongst its participants.

Visit the official Huntsman Senior Games website here, or visit their Facebook page here.