The games, which are open to competitors over the age of 60, will take place for two days and will include a 10- kilometer race, discus and javelin throwing, shot put, swimming, tennis, cycling, table tennis, lawn bowling and badminton.
More than 350 participants will compete in the games. The oldest participant is a 93-year-old. In the 2004 games, a 91-year-old distance-runner competed in the run.
The event is sponsored by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Municipality of Jerusalem and the Association of Community Centers. Organizers say it is aimed at highlighting the positive side of aging. The official press release announcing the event proclaims that the aim is to demonstrate that “age is not a barrier to rigorous physical competition and to encourage seniors to remain physically active.”
The Senior Olympics, officially called "SABA" - a Hebrew acronym for Sport, Health, Quality of Life, and which literally means “Grandpa” - “were created to highlight the positive side of aging and improve the general image of the elderly in Israel," said JDC spokesman Joshua Berkman.
According to the JDC, Israel has a higher proportion of seniors than any other nation in the world. "Senior citizens have so much to contribute to Israel and the Jewish world,” Berkman added, “we want to ensure that they can remain active and independent for as long as possible."