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Seniors in Veterans Games Will Get
Shot at Senior Olympics
Jul 9, 2004 - - WASHINGTON – After "going for the
gold" at this year's National Veterans Golden Age Games, the top senior
athletes among the nation's veterans will have the chance to test their
mettle at next year's Senior Olympics.
This new opportunity is possible by an agreement
between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Senior
Games Association (NSGA). The agreement allows some finalists at this
year's National Veterans Golden Age Games to qualify as competitors for
the 2005 Senior Olympics.
"The veterans who take part in the National
Veterans Golden Age Games have always been world-class when it comes to
their inspiration and dedication to country," said VA Deputy Secretary
Gordon H. Mansfield. "With this agreement, they're being recognized as
world-class athletes, too."
Mansfield announced today that this contract makes
the veterans' games an associate member of NSGA, which, in turn,
recognizes the country's best senior athletes in various age-groups.
NSGA is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
The agreement applies to participants of the
upcoming 18th annual National Veterans Golden Age Games, scheduled for
July 18-23 in Fresno, Calif.
Under the agreement, veterans who win gold or
silver medals at the veterans' games in bowling, horseshoes,
shuffleboard, table tennis, 50- and 100-yard freestyle, discus and shot
put will qualify for the 2005 Senior Olympics, which will be held
June 3-18, 2005, in Pittsburgh. Other veterans who
meet or exceed minimum performance standards in certain time or distance
events will also qualify.
In addition to the Golden Age Games, VA sponsors
the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the National Veterans Winter
Sports Clinic and the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.
More information about VA's Golden Age Games is
available on the Internet at
http://www1.va.gov/vetevent/gag/2004/default.cfm.
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