North Carolina boasts the nation's largest Senior Games program, with 40,000 North Carolinia seniors participating in local events from the mountains to the sea. Wilson has been a motivating force behind the program since helping launch the first local North Carolina senior games event in 1982. Her genuineness and love of the program really come across.
People can tell that, especially the participants.
NC State hosts track, racquetball and badminton events during the State Finals, and members of the Physical Education faculty serve as event managers. The Senior Games is a year-round health promotion and education program for North Carolinians at least 55 years old. Seniors in all 100 of North Carolina's counties have the opportunity to participate in one of the 52 local games programs. Every two years, winners at the state finals advance to the National Senior Games, which will be held next year in Baton Rouge, La. Participants don't have to be former Olympians or collegiate athletes to participate, Wilson says, though some are. Competitors are as young as 55, and as old as 103.