Dates for the 2023 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh announced
Next year’s National Senior Games will be held in Pittsburgh on July 7-18, 2023, the National Senior Games Association announced Thursday.
The games, presented by Humana, are a multi-sport championship event for adults 50 and older. There will be everything from 3-on-3 basketball to swimming, tennis, shuffleboard, golf and pickleball. There’s even cornhole.
SportsPittsburgh, a division of VisitPittsburgh, and P3R, which produces large events such as the Dick’s Sporting Goods City of Pittsburgh Marathon, will coordinate operations.
Pittsburgh hosted the National Senior Games in 2005. The choice of Pittsburgh as the 2023 site was announced in April 2021.
This year’s senior games are in Fort Lauderdale from May 10-23. There will be more than 11,900 athletes competing in 20 sports. That’s the third largest in its 35-year history, according to the senior games association. The 2019 National Senior Games set the record with nearly 14,000 athletes in Albuquerque, N.M.
“The fact that we have so many coming back after all of the challenges and difficulties brought by the pandemic is a testimony to the resolve of our great athletes,” said National Senior Games Association CEO Marc T. Riker, in a statement. “Pittsburgh will see many more athletes than our first visit in 2005, and our participants are going to be impressed by all of the new developments and the can-do spirit of the city.”
The National Senior Games requires athletes to qualify at one of 52 member games across the country.
The Pennsylvania Senior Games is the state’s qualifying event and will be held July 22-31 in Luzerne County. There will be a qualifying 3-on-3 women’s basketball event on April 23 at Slippery Rock University.
SportsPittsburgh executive director Jennifer Hawkins said in a statement that Pittsburgh has solidified its position as a major sports and travel destination.
“This biennial event is expected to draw more than 30,000 visitors to our region next year and could generate upwards of $35 million in economic impact,” Hawkins said. “We’re thrilled to provide our community with the chance to again play host to a prestigious national event as we welcome the best senior athletes in the country back to Pittsburgh.”
The logo for the Pittsburgh games highlights the city’s many bridges.
“We will share the message that pursuing active lifestyles can be a bridge to longer and healthier lives,” Riker said. “Our athletes show proof of that.”
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center will be the home base for the games, which will be held throughout the city. Spectators can watch the events for free.
“We are excited to use our event planning expertise to ensure that all Senior Games athletes have a first-class experience from start to finish,” said Troy Schooley, P3R CEO, in a statement. “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our sports facilities and all the other great amenities that our city offers.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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