Empire State Senior Games Get Underway

CORTLAND, NY (06/02/2009)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash today announced the commencement of the 27th annual Empire State Senior Games. This year's competition is being held Tuesday, June 2 through Sunday, June 7 at the State University of New York at Cortland.

"The Empire State Senior Games are a fun way to promote lifelong health and fitness, and bring together senior New Yorkers to share their love of sports and recreation," said Ash. "New York State Parks proudly supports our seniors' enthusiastic commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle."

"Those participating in the Senior Games are role models for all of the 3.2 million older New Yorkers and aging baby boomers," said Michael Burgess, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging. "These active and engaged older New Yorkers demonstrate that a healthy and involved lifestyle opens countless opportunities to live an enriched life in later years." He also recognized the excellent organizational support provided by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The Senior Games are for men and women who are New York State residents 50 or older. The Games provide a wide variety of sports, clinics and activities. Each year the Senior Games attract nearly 2000 athletes, along with guests and friends, from across New York State. The Senior Games, established in 1982, provide recreational opportunities; encourage fitness as a lifelong activity; and combine sports and games with fitness, fun, and fellowship of New York State seniors.

The motto of the Empire State Senior Games is: "You don't stop playing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop playing."

Additional information on all Empire State Games programming can be found on the Games' website at: www.empirestategames.org.

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