Salt Lake City is holding the 2024 National Veterans Golden Age Game for the 38th year. The National Veteran Golden Age Games offers sports competitions, education, and wellness offerings designed to improve the quality of life for veterans, aged 55 years and older. There is expected to be a record of over 900 veterans competing in this year’s events.
It includes a wide range of sports options in three categories; ambulatory, wheelchair, and visually imaged. The nineteen competitive sporting events are air pistol, air rifle, badminton, basketball, blind disc golf, boccia, bowling, cornhole, cycling, golf, horseshoes, nine ball, pickleball, power walking, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, and track and field. There are also eight age categories starting at 55 – 59 and ending with 90+.
With over 900 expected competitors, most will participate in the ambulatory division with 5.6% participating in the visually impaired division and 4.7% in the wheelchair division. Over a third of the athletes are new attendees, and 27.5% are women veterans. Two athletes have participated for over 21 years. The oldest competitor will be 94 years old. Participants represent 46 U.S. States + Washington D.C.
U.S. Army veteran Don Phillips is competing in this year’s games at the age of 93. He learned about the Golden Age Games in 2022 when it was hosted in Sioux Falls, SD – his home turf. His daughter, a nurse at VA Sioux Falls Health Care, shared with him about the competition. Phillips, who shared, “I didn’t run my first mile until I was 57 years old” is now a track runner and also competes in field events. He will be running the 50-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter race. He also will compete in shot put, discus, javelin, and long jump. Why does he continue to work out at the age of 93? He says, “I don’t think you can do anything better than exercise,” he said. “There are so many benefits. Fitness will add to your quality of life and longevity. You have to also fuel your body.”
Other athletes include a father and son’s trio. U.S. Army veteran, Ray Tingstrom and his sons Pete and Mick also are U.S. Army veterans. “My goal is not only to have fun but, at 82, to set an example for other veterans that age and physical ability don’t need to prevent someone from continuing to enjoy life in their senior years,” said Ray. “The addition of my sons joining me in the games only makes my experience sweeter.” Mick talked about how being part of the competition is not only great for health, but it also has been healthy for his relationship with his dad. Pete was inspired when watching his dad and brother compete. Pete said, “I have dealt with a lot of physical and mental issues over the last eight years and joining them to compete in the games gave me a goal to work towards.”
After years of abuse and isolation, Air Force veteran Sharon Sotero said the National Veteran Golden Age transformed her life. “In 2018, I turned to VA for help after more than 17 years of isolation, chronic pain, and mental health struggles,” said Sharon Sotero. “That opened the door to my recovery journey.” She didn’t learn about the Golden Age Games until 2022 when Brad Anderson encouraged her to attend. Although initially skeptical about working out, she took a chance. “Brad worked with me four days a week, helping me improve my mobility and strength through bodyweight exercises such as squats and pushups,” said Sotero. “His personalized training helped me ditch the cane and walker and is helping me overcome my fear of men.”
This year’s event begins with the opening ceremony held on Saturday, August 24 at 7:00 PM and ends with the closing event on August 29. You can learn more about the games and learn how to attend or get involved at their social media sites: VA Sports4Vets on Facebook; VA Sports4Vets on X; and VA Sports4Vets on IG.
