Tucson Senior Olympic Festival Returns After Pandemic Layoff | Tucson sports



The Senior Olympic Festival began Jan. 8 in Tucson and will last through Saturday.


Jorga Riggenbach, City of Tucson

Bryan Savic for the Arizona Daily Star

Before Tucsonans set their sights on the Winter Olympics, they’re treated to an appetizer of sorts in their own backyard.

The 37th annual Senior Olympic Festival began Jan. 8 in Tucson and will last through Saturday. Last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; Joe Stubbins, one of several program coordinators, said he was delighted to have the competition back up and running.

“At the bowling alley I overheard some people saying they haven’t bowled since the last time we had our tournament in January 2020,” said Stubbins, 28.

The Senior Olympic Festival is hosted by City of Tucson Parks and Recreation, located at the Morris K. Udall Regional Center.

More than 32 Olympic-style events will be held at 24 different locations throughout Tucson. The competition is sponsored by Atria, a senior housing provider.

Like the Olympics proper, the Senior Olympic Festival includes competitions in track and field, volleyball, softball and more. The participants compete for gold, silver and bronze medals.

However, unlike the Olympics, this competition also features social activities such as recreational walks, darts, bunco, Texas Hold’em and billiards. The festival also includes pickleball, archery, golf, tennis and a basketball shooting competition.

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