The TN Senior Olympics state finals are here…

2011 Tennessee Senior Olympics’ Cycling medalists in the 55-59 age group, Jay Swafford (silver), Greg Clark (gold) and Steve Baum (bronze)

Almost 2000 athletes will compete right here

By NIKKI KOCINA
Brentwood Home Page
Williamson County is getting a head start on the Olympic Games 2012 by hosting the Tennessee Senior Olympics, which kick off Friday and run through Thursday, July 19. This year’s number of registered athletes is record-breaking, surpassing 1,962 athletes in all. All participants live in Tennessee and are at least 50 years in age.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation athletics department, Battleground Academy and sponsors BlueCross BlueShield and Walgreens are providing over 300 volunteers to facilitate the Games.

Brentwood will play an important role in the games, hosting a variety of the events which include swimming, track and field, horseshoes, table tennis, bowling, badminton, tennis, basketball, archery, racquetball, cycling, volleyball, softball, shuffleboard, golf, pickleball, 10K and 5K races, a fitness walk, and a one-mile power walk.

For the first time ever, the state games include a 50-meter dash heat in track. Approximately 100 participants signed up to take part in it.

Brentwood’s Indoor Sports Complex and the Maryland Farms YMCA will serve as competition venues. Other venues include Battle Ground Academy, Franklin Recreational Center, Franklin Entertainment Center, Fieldstone Farms, the Academy Park, the Ag Expo Center, College Grove Recreational Center, Christ Church at Arrington, and Pine Creek Golf Course.

The Tennessee Senior Olympics strives to “promote a healthy lifestyle among seniors through fitness, sports, and an active involvement in life.” TSO’s Executive Director Christine Dewbre says watching the participants compete is “very inspirational.”

One example of such inspiration is Williamson County’s very own Steve Baum. Baum, 57, battled liver and kidney disease for eight years until he received a transplant for both organs in November 2009. Until his surgery, everyday tasks like walking half a mile were unbearable.

After the two transplants, Baum faced a couple significant challenges: rebuilding his deteriorated muscles and learning to combat his obstructed breathing caused by the 21-inch scar across his stomach. Instead of focusing on his past obstacles, however, Baum set his sights on the future with the goal of playing basketball at the 2010 Transplant Games. He met that goal a mere nine months after his surgery.

Last year was Baum’s first year to participate in the Tennessee Senior Olympics. He entered in three open events and brought home bronze medals in each. This year, he signed up for a grand total of 10 events, but a recent injury to his right elbow, however, will limit his ability to compete in all of them.

When asked what the Tennessee Senior Olympics means to him, Baum summed it up in one word: joy.

“I’ve gone from dying to winning a bronze in the triple jump. It’s just pure joy.”

For more information, download the “2012 State Finals Athlete Program” at http://www.tnseniorolympics.com/