Albuquerque’s 2019 National Senior Games Presented by Humana Shatters Participation Record
April 27, 2019
The 2019 National Senior Games, which will be held in Albuquerque June 14 – 25, has the most registered athletes in the organization’s history. Additionally, New Mexico is the number one state for athletes registered.
With all 50 states represented, there are 13,712 athletes that will participate in the 2019 National Senior Games, which is 30% higher than the games in 2017 and 14% higher than the previous 12,000-person games in Louisville, KY in 2007. New Mexico is the state with the most athletes participating - 1,516 total.
“Albuquerque is the perfect backdrop to the Games, with our great weather, training altitude, and the diversity that makes our city so unique,” stated Mayor Tim Keller. “It’s no surprise that so many athletes are making their way to the Land of Enchantment to compete in the Games—we are grateful to be the host city that broke the record for participation.”
There are many opportunities for all New Mexicans to participate in the National Senior Games either as volunteers or as spectators. Putting on a multi-day, multi-sport event as large as the National Senor Games requires a huge volunteer base. There are openings for people to volunteer for every sport, as well as in hospitality. Additionally, all games are open to the public at NO COST.
“Albuquerque has put out an amazing welcome mat for us,” explained Marc T. Riker, National Senior Games CEO. “We can’t wait to show off your city to the national audience, while highlighting the amazing athletes that will be competing.”
“Our state-of-the-art facilities and top-notch hospitality, along with all our authentic visitor experiences, make Albuquerque the perfect setting for a national event of this caliber. We look forward to welcoming these athletes—and their families and friends—to our city. We know they’ve been training hard to get here, and we wish them the best of luck in the competition,” said Tania Armenta, President & CEO of Visit Albuquerque.
People can learn more about the National Senior Games at NSGA.com. To sign up to volunteer, go to NSGA.com/volunteer.
Other interesting National Senior Games facts:
Top 3 Sports – Softball, Volleyball, Track & Field
Largest Age Brackets – 60-64, 65-69, 70-74
Top 3 States for Athlete Participation – New Mexico, California, Texas
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES
In 1985 in St. Louis, MO, a group of seven men and women formed the original leadership for what was initially known as the National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO). The vision: to promote healthy lifestyles for adults through education, fitness and sport. The NSGA exists today as a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating active adults to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement. The Games, a 20-sport, biennial competition for men and women 50 and over, is the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors.
NSGA Member Organizations hold annual games with qualifying competitions in the year preceding The Games. Athletes that meet specific criteria while participating in the State Senior Games qualify to participate. To date, the NSGA has held 16 summer national championships.
The National Senior Games in Albuquerque would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors: Humana, Haverland Lifeplan Communities, La Vida Llena and The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho, NM, UNMH, Presybyterian Healthcare Services, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, New Mexico Gas Company, Zibrio and Five Star Senior Living