Over the next two and a half weeks, about 11,000 athletes will come to Cleveland for the 2013 National Senior Games—the world’s largest multi-sport event for athletes over age 50. That’s approximately the same number of competitors in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Such a large event calls for a variety of venues. Case Western Reserve University is one of 16 sites throughout the city hosting some of the 19 sporting events July 19-Aug. 1.
About 600 athletes will compete on the Case Western Reserve campus in the following events:
- horseshoes at Van Horn Field, July 20-25;
- table tennis at the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center, July 25-31; and
- basketball (ages 65 and up) at Horsburgh Gym, July 25-29.
More than 4,000 spectators are expected on campus during the games, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Plus, 135 athletes will live in housing on north and south campuses throughout the games.
University officials have worked with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and the National Senior Games staff since October to plan for the event. A number of departments and individuals have been heavily involved in the planning process, and many members of the campus community have volunteered to assist with the games.
Last July, the university got a test run for the National Senior Games when it hosted the Ohio Senior Olympics. Both the Ohio Senior Olympics and National Senior Games are part of the National Senior Games Association, a nonprofit member of the United States Olympic Committee dedicated to motivating senior men and women to lead a healthy lifestyle. The Ohio games were qualifying rounds for the national event.
Other events throughout the city include cycling, golf, road races, softball, swimming, track, volleyball and more.
In addition to the competitions, there also will be a torch-lighting ceremony July 19 at the Cleveland Convention Center Mall B, the Athlete Village at the convention center and a Celebration of Athletes at Quicken Loans Arena July 26.
Admission to all sporting events is free and open to the public. For more information on the National Senior Games, visit nsga.com/national-games.aspx or cleveland.com/seniorgames.