The administration of the Senior Olympics had been based in Towson from 1980-2005. It was operated out of Salisbury in 2006.

“The Maryland Senior Olympics has been such a wonderful, healthy activity for many Montgomery County senior residents who participated over the many years that we wanted to ensure its legacy continued on,” said Robin Riley, Division Chief for Montgomery County Recreation Department.

The addition of the Senior Olympics also supports two of County Executive Leggett’s Seven Policy Initiatives—“Building Healthy and Sustainable Communities” and “Ensuring Vital Living for All of Our Residents.”

Montgomery County has more than 200,000 seniors aged 55 and above, and through the years has seen its residents be some of the best athletes at the state and national competitions.

“Seniors are among our largest-growing population in the county, so we have a vested interest in the games,” Riley said.

Details are still being smoothed out, she added, but the aquatics, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball, shuffleboard, basketball and lawn bowling events are expected to be held in the county. Those events would draw about 2,000 participants.

“We’re still looking at some of the other events, like archery, golf and many others,” she said. As next year is a qualifying year for the National Senior Games, we hope to provide as many events as possible for qualification purposes.”

While the Recreation Department will administer Maryland Senior Olympics, the event is a countywide presentation. Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery Parks, and Health & Human Services are among those departments that will participate.

Ted Wroth, the new executor director of the games, succeeds Phil Adams, who has moved to a new position at Mount Mercy College.

A new website at www.mdseniorolympics.org and public awareness campaign are in the works. Wroth can be reached at 240-777-8080 or ted.wroth@mdseniorolympics.org.

The Maryland Senior Olympics was created in early 1980 through joint efforts of the Baltimore County and Maryland State Commission on Physical Fitness. Through the state commission, and under the leadership of Bob Zeigler, the first competition was held on Oct. 4, 1980, at Towson State with approximately 300 athletes.

Upon the retirement of long-time leaders Zeigler and Bob Eickenberg, the games needed a new home. An arrangement was made with Salisbury State, hosts of the Eastern Shore Senior Games, to host the 2006 competition. But participation was poor with many athletes citing the driving distance.

“We think a more centralized location for all Maryland residents is better for the athletes and better for the games,” Riley said. “Plus, there are lots of tourist attractions in the county and around the corner. Washington, D.C., is a few Metro stops away, Baltimore is not too far north, and Montgomery County has a lot of venues and attractions—Strathmore, Black Rock, downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring. So it’s a great opportunity to tie in the economic impact into visitors as well.”