New York State Empire State Senior Games Begin

ALBANY, NY (06/03/2008)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash announced today the commencement of the 26th annual Empire State Senior Games. This year’s competition is being held Tuesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 8 at SUNY Cortland.

“Promoting the health and fitness of senior New Yorkers and providing an occasion for athletes to come together to share their enthusiasm of sports and recreation is something New York State Parks is proud to support,” said Ash. “The Empire State Senior Games stays true to its motto: ‘You don't stop playing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop playing.’ The popularity of the games continues to grow every year, highlighting our seniors’ commitment to a healthy and active lifestyle.”

The Senior Games is for men and women who are New York State residents 50 or older. The Games provide a wide variety of sports, clinics, activities and social events. The Games continue to be the only New York State qualifier for the National Senior Sports Classic. In even numbered years, the Games serve as a qualifying event for the U.S. National Senior Games.

Each year the Senior Games attract nearly 2000 athletes, along with guests and friends, from across New York State. The Senior Games, which were established in 1982, provide recreational opportunities, encourage fitness as a life-long activity, combine sports and games with fitness, fun, and fellowship and promote the positive public image of New York State seniors.

The Empire State Senior Games, along with the Empire State Games, Empire State Winter Games and the Games for the Physically Challenged are administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The four competitions are sponsored by the New York State Lottery. The Senior Games are also sponsored and supported by the New York State Office for the Aging, CDPHP, Cortland Regional Sports Council, Epic, the United States Tennis Association, Country Inn and Suites, Humana Market Point, Cortland Country Area Agency on Aging, Anaconda Sports, Osteon Arthritis and the National Senior Games Association.

The Empire State Summer Games will be held, July 23-27, in Binghamton and the Winter Games, will be held next February 20-22, in Lake Placid.

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

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