World Senior Games

Huntsman World Senior Games
DatesOctober 4–16, 2021
Host citySt. George, Utah, United States
VenueGreater Zion Stadium and other venues
LevelSenior
TypeSenior Olympics
Events34

The World Senior Games (since 1989 Huntsman World Senior Games for sponsorship reasons) is the largest annual multi-sport senior competition in the world (Most participants are U.S. citizens, but athletes from Canada, Australia, Russia, Japan and several other countries also participate).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The Games was founded in 1987 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, "with the mission to foster worldwide peace, health and friendship and lead the world in active aging.[8] All athletes aged 50 and over, of all skill levels, are eligible to compete.[9] No pre-qualification is necessary.[10] In addition to self-registered entries, invitation-only tournaments are also included, such as the Global Cup World Senior Volleyball Championships.[11][12]

In 2018, 11,033 athletes from around the world participated, including 349 softball teams and 213 volleyball teams.[13][14][15][16] Following the tradition of the Olympic Games, opening ceremonies are held at Greater Zion Stadium at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah, and feature a parade of athletes and a fireworks display.[17][18] Singing and dancing performances at the opening ceremonies are provided by the performing arts studio Diamond Talent.[19]

In many events, U.S. competitors' results from the competition serve to qualify for the biennial National Senior Games.[20] Swimming events are eligible for setting masters swimming records.[21]

In 1989 Jon Huntsman Sr. of the Huntsman Corporation became the Games' title sponsor.[22] The 2016 games had competitors from 34 countries in 29 sports, the oldest Daniel Bulkley, aged 99.[23] The 2020 competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24] The World Senior Games annually brings in an estimated $17 million in direct economic impact to the St. George community.[25] Brigham Young University students have provided free health screenings, conducted research at the games and published findings in peer-reviewed journals, and are a major source of volunteers at the competition.[26]

  1. ^ "World Senior Games".
  2. ^ Reina, Hollie (July 31, 2020). "HUNTSMAN WORLD SENIOR GAMES". St. George News. Washington County Historical Society.
  3. ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games Named 2016 Best of State". PRWEB. June 15, 2016.
  4. ^ Castro, Ken (October 28, 2017). "Huntsman World Senior Games". MastersRankings.
  5. ^ "The Senior Games Off The Scale and Onto a Starting Line". Flipping Fifty. 17 July 2018.
  6. ^ Sprecher, Mary Helen (Sep 20, 2017). "Inside Events: Huntsman World Senior Games". Due North Media.
  7. ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games". Salt Lake Express. September 19, 2017.
  8. ^ "Welcome to the Games!". Huntsman World Senior Games. Retrieved Apr 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Schwartz, Gadi (Dec 20, 2019). "Super seniors compete in the Huntsman World Senior Games". 3rd Hour Today. NBC UNIVERSAL.
  10. ^ Wood, Robert (2014). "Huntsman World Senior Games". Topend Sports.
  11. ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games celebrates 30th anniversary". St. George News. The Independent. October 1, 2016.
  12. ^ "St. George, Utah, USA". Global Cup.
  13. ^ "Forde Denies Committing Funds For Huntsman Senior Games". bgis. Barbados Government Information Service. Oct 3, 2019.
  14. ^ Griffin, Andy (October 22, 2017). "2017 Huntsman World Senior Games conclude in style". St George News. StGeorgeUtah.com LLC.
  15. ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games". CSOBs Rugby.
  16. ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games closes with participation numbers rivaling Olympics". St George News. StGeorgeUtah.com LLC. October 20, 2018.
  17. ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games: A Place To Chase Dreams". Utah Sports Commission. 3 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games to welcome 'record number' of participants next week". St George News. StGeorgeUtah.com LLC. October 3, 2019.
  19. ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games Opening Ceremonies". Diamond Talent Productions.
  20. ^ Parrish-Kell, Bonnie (October 15, 2018). "2018 Huntsman World Senior Games Triathlon Results". Slowpoke Divas.
  21. ^ "Huntsman World Senior Games". U.S. Masters Swimming.
  22. ^ "World Senior Games".
  23. ^ "30th annual Huntsman World Senior Games breaking records in St. George". 4 October 2016.
  24. ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games benched by COVID-19". ABC4 News. Nexstar Media Inc. Jul 31, 2020.
  25. ^ Jorgensen, Janzen (October 15, 2019). "Old in Age, Young at Heart: The 2019 Huntsman World Senior Games". SUU News.
  26. ^ "The Huntsman World Senior Games". Impact Magazine. Brigham Young University College of Life Sciences. June 29, 2020.