Nancy Tamir with her medals

 “On your mark – get set – go!”

These words echoed through the air again and again as the competitions got under way in the first ever Senior Citizens Israel Olympics which lured hundreds of Golden Years Youngsters - 65 years of age and more - to Nordiya’s impressive Retirement Village. The participants are the ones who understand the importance of sport; the Latin expression – “a healthy mind in a healthy body” is the creed which is faithfully followed by them and the results of their dedication are proven with the benefits of less medication, fewer doctors' visits and successful self-maintenance of their health. You might be surprised to learn how many of us golden oldies now enthusiastically follow this creed.  

The organization of the event was carried out with expertise and thoroughly enjoyed by all. It was a true happening, not just for the sportsmen and women, as, in their wisdom, the organizers also included an agenda of various workshops throughout the three-day event that drew dozens of supporters. For example, workshops for improving brain capacity, challenging chair gymnastics, how to get to know your body, coping with financial changes in later life, hearing-assessment tests – all crowned by the extremely popular ballroom dancing under the tuition of Anna Aronov, of “Dancing With The Stars” fame, and her partner. As the music swelled through the main building, participants were drawn to the lobby, their minds refilling with memories of long ago – youth and first loves – whilst their bodies answered to the call that brought the “now youngsters” forward to twist again, cha-cha, tango and more. There was something for everyone and the rhythms were captivating for all.

And what were the sporting events? Every sport that is also covered at the world Olympics – table tennis, swimming, water ballet, track events and athletics, power walking, weightlifting, archery and even chess - to name a few.

 Who were the participants? There was Sarah, a 91-year-old swimmer who took up the sport at the age of 76 and managed to win a silver medal. Marilyn and a number of her basketball buddies, who were queens of Israeli basketball 40 years ago and played in the Maccabi Women’s League, were there. A true sportswoman, Marilyn especially appreciated the efforts of the elderly to compete and the group enjoyed every minute of the event. Grandfathers and grandchildren perspired together in a bicycle race, and one must not overlook Visha, aged 96, his brow even more wrinkled in concentration as he competed in the chess championship.  And me, a lung transplantee, back in the water again, reaching the finals of the freestyle swimming. All of us have acquired our skills through persistence and courage and faced the challenges of advancing age. What sportsperson hasn’t had the dream of competing in an Olympics? Now the dream could be fulfilled – no wonder there was a constant buzz of excitement in the air.

It’s not just the winning that is special - that’s a moment that passes.  It is the wonderful people you meet and who leave a lasting impression. The most precious medal one can win is the continued ability to celebrate life, and that is what was so evident here. I salute all of the organizers who did brilliant work with such expertise.

Please change the rules and make this an annual event – we can’t wait another four years!

Nancy Tamir is a lung transplantee and was a keen competitor in the swimming events of the European Heart and Lung International Transplant Games, proudly bringing medals back home to Israel. (See ESRA MAGAZINE Issue 150,"Much More than a Medal"). Over the past few years, her life of sport was overtaken by the fulfillment of a long-harbored desire to write a novel based on the small town of Hanford in Washington State, America, where her father’s family were amongst the initial settlers and which holds a special historical value. The story was written especially for the younger generations who might not know of the happenings there. As always, her determination came to flower and she produced her novel about the secretive production of plutonium required for the atomic bomb that was to end up in Nagasaki.   The novel, aptly named “Butterflies and Bombs”, can be read on Kindle. Over this period her brain worked much more than her body – that is until a new challenge beckoned her back into the water.