Oxford resident Pete Romzick placed twice in this year’s Michigan Senior Olympics, which took place July 5 – 12.
Romzick, 50, earned a gold medal in the 800-meter race and a bronze medal in the 400-meter race.
‘The MSO focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles for the 50-plus age group through state games and clinics and programs on nutrition, health and wellness,? said Sheila Tinnion, the marketing and sponsorship director. ‘It’s not just winning the medal, it’s the camaraderie and networking with people who have the same goals in life.?
There were 700 hundred athletes competing this year, and next year there are an anticipated 1,500. ?
The numbers of athletes are increasing due to the number of 50-year-olds now entering the senior population,? said Tinnion.
Romzick heard about the Senior Olympics last year, but his age didn’t qualify him to enter until this year’s competition. However, he did attend some of the events last year as an observer, and he found his motivation to start training.
‘Their philosophy is to live a healthy lifestyle,? he said.
Romzick considers himself to be generally healthy in both his eating habits as well as exercise.
‘I noticed I was starting to put on a little weight,? he said, which inspired him to enter the MSO events this year.
‘I know I’ll keep doing it every year,? he said. ‘It gave me a goal.?
The MSO offer events in all areas of athletics. Participants compete based on their ages as they fall into five-year brackets.
‘He just walked around the track for the first part, and then he ran. But, the important thing was that he was out there.?
‘The athletes who competed at 93 set an example to all of us that it is never too late to fulfill your dreams,? said Tinnion.
MSO celebrated their 30th anniversary this year. Next year will be a qualifying year for Michigan athletes to proceed to the National Senior Olympics in Houston Texas for 2011.
This year, 250 Michigan athletes will represent the state at Nationals.
Winter games will be held January 25 through 27 in Oakland County, and next year’s summer games will be July 15 through 21, 2010.
For more information call 1-800-400-8161 or visit MSO on-line at www.michiganseniorolympics.org.
‘Just being a part of it and having the courage to do it is rewarding,? said Romzick. ‘I would encourage it for everybody.?