The Maryland Senior Olympics (MSO) are officially underway and registration is open for many events that will take place through October. Montgomery County will host numerous events.
Each year, men and women, ages 50 and older, from Maryland jurisdictions participate in age-group competitions in sports including archery, track and field, swimming, tennis, golf, cycling, softball, shuffleboard, 3-on-3 basketball, croquet and pickleball. The complete list of sports can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/seniors/seniorolympics.html.
To participate in MSO, competitors do not have to be seasoned athletes or champions in training. Entrants only have to be age 50 or older and willing to participate. The MSO's motto is, "To Participate is to Win." There is a nominal fee to compete in most events.
The Maryland Senior Olympics Commission highly recommends athletes be fully vaccinated prior to participation. The Senior Olympics will follow guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Participants may enter as many sports as their schedule allows. Events will be conducted in men’s and women’s divisions in each of the following age groups: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99 and 100-plus.
Competition will be offered in three team sports: 3-on-3 half-court basketball, softball and volleyball. The age groups for these competitions will be 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-plus. There will be an 80-and-over category only for 3-on-3 basketball. The youngest member of the team as of Dec. 31, 2021 will determine the age division in which the team competes.
Among the upcoming events is the track and field competition that will be held Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 7-8, at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover.
The Maryland Senior Olympics is a member of the National Senior Games Association and Montgomery County Recreation serves as the host agency. Other partners include Montgomery Parks and Howard County Recreation & Parks.
Many of the Maryland athletes will advance to the national games scheduled to take place in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The 2021 National Senior Games are postponed until May 2022 due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 health crisis.
MSO was created in 1980 through joint efforts of the Baltimore County and Maryland State commissions on Physical Fitness. Following the retirement of its two long-time leaders, Bob Zeigler and Bob Eickenberg, the games needed a new home, and in 2007 the torch was passed to Montgomery County.
For more information about registration or the events, visit the Maryland Senior Olympic website.
