About RI Senior Olympics

The Department of Elderly Affairs was established in 1977, under the direction of the Rhode Island Legislature and Governor J. Joseph Garrahy. Almost immediately, Director Anna Tucker and her staff focused on reaching the senior population and creating a breadth of activities that "would get them up, out and moving." The Senior Olympics were the suggestion of Dolores Casey Bergeron, Coordinator from its inception in 1978 until her retirement.

The Rhode Island games include 16 events:
Archery - Basketball - Bowling (Ten Pin) - Cycling - Golf - Horseshoes - Race Walk - 5k & 10k Road Races - Sailing - Softball - Swimming - Table Tennis - Tennis - Track & Field - Triathlon and Volleyball.

The 2009 National Senior Games.
The Ocean State Senior Olympics is a member of the National Senior Games, and IS THE ONLY OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED QUALIFYING SITE IN RHODE ISLAND FOR THE NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES. The 2009 event is scheduled for August 1-15, 2009 on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. More than 12,000 seniors from every state in the nation are expected to participate. In addition to the 18 championship sports being sanctioned by the National Senior Games, seven demonstraion events will be offered. Equestrian, Fencing, Lawn Bowling, Rowing, Sailing, Soccer and Water Polo. Demonstration sports do not require qualifications at the state level. Interested parties will be able to register for these competitions in early 2009.