The Senior Olympics - 2011 National Games
August 26th, 2005
Houston to Host the 2011 Summer National Senior Games - The Senior Olympics
August 26, 2005
Houston (August 2005) – The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) announced today that Houston will host the 2011 Summer National Senior Games—The Senior Olympics—one of the largest recurring multi-sports events in the United States and the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors.
Approximately 15,000 top male and female senior athletes, ages 50 and older, from across the United States are projected to compete in 18-20 different sports within separate age divisions at venues located throughout the Houston Area during the 16-day event, set tentatively for June 19 – July 5, 2011.
The NSGA Board of Directors selected Houston as the host city during the 2005 Games. Houston was also a finalist for the 2009 Games.
“The NSGA is pleased to be bringing our premier event to the Houston Area,” said Bill Bankhead, CEO of the NGSA. “We are particularly grateful to the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau and to Houston’s Space City Sports Commission for taking the lead in bidding on this large and complex event. Both the state of Texas and Houston have very enthusiastically supported senior sports in the past, and we look forward to a National Games which will demonstrate the Houston and Texas spirit.
“The affinity of Houston for active healthy lifestyles makes this partnership uniquely suited to bring NSGA’s mission and programs to the millions of seniors that reside in the state. We hope to be a motivating influence so that many more seniors might realize the benefits of fitness and thereby improve the quality of their lives as they age,” said Bankhead.
“Houston is proud to host the largest Olympic-affiliated event ever to come to Texas,” said Houston Mayor Bill White. “It will bring more athletes than even the Olympic Games themselves and will span a greater range of ages than any other sporting event. The city of Houston works hard to promote active lifestyles, and we welcome the Senior Games with open arms. We all embrace the Olympic spirit, which inspires us all to have a more active, health and fulfilling life.”
“The athletes’ experience will be our primary focus,” said Greg Moore, Director of National Games for NSGA. “We are confident that all of our participating athletes will enjoy their Houston experience both competitively and for the overall experience.
The Senior Olympics is expected to draw more than 35,000 people to the Houston Area during the two-week-plus period in 2011.
“The 2005 Senior Olympics which was held in Pittsburgh had an estimated economic impact of $35 million, and we are convinced that the 2011 Senior Games, with expanded participation guidelines, will surpass that figure,” according to Jack Kelly, acting CEO of the Space City Sports Commission and leader of the Houston bid. “Houston is well accustomed to hosting national and international visitors and our entire hospitality community will welcome all the participants in the 2011 Senior Games. Our whole community stands ready to support the 2011 Senior Games in whatever way we can to help the local organizing committee create a superb and memorable event.”
While sports have not yet been assigned to specific sites, the 2011 Games will utilize the George R. Brown and Reliant Centers, local college and university facilities – particularly the University of Houston and Rice University, numerous Houston Parks and Recreation facilities, local golf courses and other facilities.
Competitive events will include: archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, race walk, racquetball, road race, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, triathlon and volleyball. In addition, there is the possibility of adding additional sports for 2011.
To compete in the Summer National Senior Games, athletes must be age 50 or older and must qualify at NSGA-member state, local or regional senior games. The 2007 Summer Games are planned for Louisville, Kentucky and the 2009 Games are scheduled for the San Francisco Bay Area.
For more information on the 2011 Summer National Senior Games – The Senior Olympics, please call 713-437-5296.
Contact Name: Emily Yates
Contact Phone: (713) 308-5906
Contact Email: eyates@houstonsports.org
