The Tucson Senior Olympic Festival, presented by the Pain Institute of Southern Arizona,  celebrated its 40th anniversary this year while continuing to expand their event lineup. 

Last year saw the introduction of disc golf and this year chair volleyball has joined the games.

Dozens of players and fans filled the indoor gym at the Udall Recreation Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road, on Jan. 30 for the match. The competition was intense and lively. Teams wore matching jerseys; with one team opting for a tie-dye theme.  

Senior athletes at this year’s festival competed from Jan. 4 – Feb. 2 in more than 100 events across 35 different sports and activity categories. Inclusivity and accessibility was a key focus, with many games adapted to accommodate different mobility levels, from the table games of Mahjong, Cribbage and Bunco to the more physical individual and team events that involved more aerobic effort. 

“The goal of the Senior Olympics is to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for participants 50 and over, the games can improve competitors’ physical and mental health,” said Debra Henley, one of The Tucson Senior Olympics head coordinators.  

“There is an event for everyone. Our overall goal is just for folks to have fun,” she added. 

Chair volleyball is a rapidly growing sport in many senior communities. It promotes accessibility and is ideal for people with limited mobility or those who are unable to stand for an extended period of time. 

This adapted version of the game is played on a smaller court, with a lowered net, and uses a larger, air-filled beach volleyball. 

Four matches took place simultaneously at the hectic indoor gym on that last Thursday in January, with teams being eliminated until this year’s winners took home the gold. Players cheered one another on and encouraged teammates and opponents alike. Fans in the stands also got into the spirit, shouting encouragement as the referees remained focused on the boundary lines to ensure their calls were accurate. 

“It was great. It was a good workout, and I made some new friends,” said chair volleyball player Victor Christopher, 82.

Christopher said that while “many seniors tend to stay home, I didn’t want to be a cocooner.” He recommends doing something active every day, no matter your age because “it’s good for a person all over.”

Cheryl Avila, 70, is already looking forward to competing next year. She said she loves the sport and that “the competition was phenomenal.” 

Avila practices chair volleyball for an hour every week with her team at the Udall Center. She said that with hard work and practice, “next year will be different,” and her team will take home the gold medals.

Her advice to other seniors: “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” she said. 

The addition of chair volleyball to the Senior Olympics opened the door for Sheri Konopko, 71, who now uses a prosthetic leg, to compete this year. The competition reminded her of when she swam in the Junior Olympics in 1972. 

“It was a blast and I hope to do it again,” she said. 

The Tucson Senior Olympics are held every January. For seniors seeking additional opportunities to compete, the Arizona State Senior Olympics is held in Phoenix each fall.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.