August 1 deadline to register
July 20, 2007
Atlanta, (GA) – The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) has announced that the city of Warner Robins will host the 2007 Georgia Golden Olympics (GGO) to be held September 26 through September 29, 2007. The GGO provides an opportunity for men and women 50 and over to compete in an assortment of sporting events and have fun. Eligibility to participate in the Games is determined by the age of the applicant on September 26, 2007. Registration must be received by August 1st in order to compete this year.
"We are educating Georgians of all ages about the importance of healthy living and offering them the resources to take charge of their health," said Stuart Brown, M.D., director of DHR’s Division of Public Health. "The Georgia Golden Olympics are a great way for older adults to get involved and compete in physical activities of their choice," said Brown.
GGO events include shuffleboard, archery, tennis, billiards, racquetball, bowling, checkers, cycling, badminton, horseshoe toss, race walking, swimming, and a wheelchair race. All events are divided into age groups and medals are awarded for each category.
A registration fee of $30 allows the participant to enter three events. Additional events are $6 each. Bowling, tennis, archery and golf require an additional fee. Fees are non refundable.
The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health; Robins Air Force Base, Services Division; Georgia Recreation and Park Association, Senior Citizens Section; Georgia Nursing Home Association; J. W. Fanning Institute of Community and Leadership Development, University of Georgia; and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are the coordinating organizations for the Georgia Golden Olympics. The Warner Robins Recreation Department is hosting the 2007 Golden Olympics.
"DHR has been a part of the Georgia Golden Olympics since 1983. We are pleased to announce that Vicki Pilgrim, M.Ed, CTRS, has been hired as the first executive director due to the popularity and steady growth of GGO," said Andrea Wimbush, who serves as the current DHR coordinator of the Games. "The participants tell us that they look forward to the games all year, and this years event promises to sparkle," said Wimbush.
Following the competition, an Awards Dinner will be held at the Wellston Center in Warner Robins. The evening will include dinner, awards presentations, a gift basket raffle, music, and dancing. The theme for the evening will be ‘Denim and Diamonds.’ All participants and guests are encouraged to wear their favorite denim and sparkles. Awards will be given for the best outfit.
The goal of the Games is to create an awareness of the abilities and capabilities of older adults; to maintain and improve health and wellness; and to promote an interest in sports, recreation, and physical activity.
The Georgia Golden Olympics is the approved state organization and qualifying site for the National Senior Games Association competition. Although 2007 is not a qualifying year, the 2008 Georgia Golden Olympics Games will be the qualifying games for the National Senior Games to be held in Louisville, Kentucky in 2009.
The Live Healthy Georgia campaign, launched in 2005 by DHR in partnership with Governor Sonny Perdue, promotes five key messages to improve the health of Georgians: Be Active, Eat Healthy, Be Smoke Free, Get Checked, and Be Positive.
For more information about the Live Healthy Georgia campaign, visit: www.livehealthygeorgia.org. For more information about the Georgia Golden Olympics and a registration form, visit: www.georgiagoldenolympics.org.
For information, contact:
Lisa Moery; (404) 463-2299
lsmoery@dhr.state.ga.us