Brady Cates
bcates@uwyo.edu
The City of Laramie will be hosting the Wyoming Summer Senior Olympics games in 2017 and 2018.
The Parks and Recreation Department has yet to come up with a set date for the games, but they will probably be held during the first couple weeks of August.
Jody Guerin, recreation manager for the City of Laramie, said the city is working on firming up the venues for the games with true agreements with different organizations.
“We will most likely use the recreation center, some athletic fields and parks,” Guerin said.
Guerin said the school district is also interested in participating with this and the high school is willing to let them use its facilities for one of the venues, as well as the University of Wyoming.
“Hosting these games will be great for the City of Laramie because we will be able to showcase the facilities that Laramie has to offer. Also, Laramie is beautiful in the summer, so people will be coming at a good time of the year,” Guerin said.
Guerin said the state requires specific activities, but it is in the beginning stages of what all they want to include in the games.
Amber Travsky, 60-year-old Laramie native and participant in the senior Olympics, said there are many different sports available and a lot of them will probably be held in these games.
“If there is a sport out there it is probably going to be held and that’s what’s so cool about the senior Olympics, you can always try new sports,” Travsky said.
The last time the senior Olympics were held in Laramie Travsky was in her 30’s, and she was allowed to participate in a triathlon just for fun.
“Everyone was having so much fun that I told everyone and myself that when I was old enough I was going to participate in the senior Olympics,” Travsky said.
Travsky has been participating in the games now for 10 years and has not missed a summer or winter senior Olympics since she started.
“I have participated in everything from cycling and long distance swimming, to track and field, speed walking and running,” Travsky said.
Travsky said participating in these games does two things for her. It gets her motivated to train for whatever she is going to participate in and it motivates her to try new sports.
“I also have met very good friends from the senior games, and I have never had the chance to have friends that are much older than I am, which is another big thing that I really love about the games,” Travsky said.
According to the press release by Nick Learned, there will be plenty of opportunities for the Laramie community to volunteer and provide sponsorships. The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is inviting any businesses, organizations, or individuals who would like to support the games to get in touch with the city. Those interested can contact Recreation Manager Jody Guerin.
