WASHINGTON – After “going for the gold” at this year’s National Veterans Golden Age Games, the top senior athletes among the nation’s veterans will have the chance to test their mettle at next year’s Senior Olympics.
This new opportunity is possible by an agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Senior Games Association (NSGA). The agreement allows some finalists at this year’s National Veterans Golden Age Games to qualify as competitors for the 2005 Senior Olympics.
“The veterans who take part in the National Veterans Golden Age Games have always been world-class when it comes to their inspiration and dedication to country,” said VA Deputy Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield. “With this agreement, they’re being recognized as world-class athletes, too.”
Mansfield announced today that this contract makes the veterans’ games an associate member of NSGA, which, in turn, recognizes the country’s best senior athletes in various age-groups. NSGA is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
The agreement applies to participants of the upcoming 18th annual National Veterans Golden Age Games, scheduled for July 18-23 in Fresno, Calif.
Under the agreement, veterans who win gold or silver medals at the veterans’ games in bowling, horseshoes, shuffleboard, table tennis, 50- and 100-yard freestyle, discus and shot put will qualify for the 2005 Senior Olympics, which will be held June 3-18, 2005, in Pittsburgh. Other veterans who meet or exceed minimum performance standards in certain time or distance events will also qualify.
In addition to the Golden Age Games, VA sponsors the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the National Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.
More information about VA’s Golden Age Games is available on the Internet at http://www1.va.gov/vetevent/gag/2004/default.cfm.
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