In partnership with New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc., the City of Albuquerque, along with The University of New Mexico and several other venues, host to the 39th Annual Senior Olympics State Summer Games July 19 through July 23.
Spectators are encouraged to support more than 1,100 active adults aged 50+ competing in 27 sports including archery, cycling, pickleball, swimming, and track and field. The senior athletes represent more than 25 counties in New Mexico, including over 14 pueblos and tribes.
Sporting events for the state summer games will be held throughout the City of Albuquerque at Balloon Fiesta Park, Manzano Mesa Park, Los Altos Park, the African American Performing Arts Center, UNM Track & Natatorium, Holiday Bowl, the Raymond Sanchez Community Center, and Midtown Sports & Wellness.
Opening ceremonies are set for Wednesday, July 19 at Balloon Fiesta Park beginning at 7 p.m. Events at UNM begin Thursday, July 20 and include swimming and track and field. All events are free to spectators.
“I encourage you to carve some time out of your schedules to support the athletes who will be competing in these games,” said Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry. “It is important as a community to cheer on these inspirational people as they show us what active aging is about.”
In addition to New Mexican athletes, more than 30 out-of-state competitors will join participants in New Mexico. For the first time, New Mexico is an open state for the summer games. This will allow for greater competition and attract more athletes to the state. New Mexico has been a closed state since the inception of the Games in 1979.
Cecilia Acosta, executive director with the New Mexico Senior Olympics, said “Athletes will compete in Albuquerque for five days in five-year age divisions. 2017 is a non-qualifying year for athletes. In 2018, athletes will qualify to advance to the 2019 National Senior Games that will be held in Albuquerque where 10,000 athletes compete for the gold!”
A complete spectator schedule is available online.