Photo Credit: Bethany McCaslin, Clarksville Parks and Recreation
Early spring brings the sounds of horseshoes clanging on iron stakes from the Swan Lake sandpits, as seniors age 50 and above take aim and throw, flipping the shoes in a steady rhythm, hoping to score a “ringer.” While everyone is a competitor in the pits, with little conversation, they will gather later as friends.
Over at the shuffleboard courts, no one would mistake the sport for a cruise-ship leisure activity. Janet Ramser grips her 6-foot cue stick with grim determination, gazing steely-eyed at the triangular-shaped diagram on the far end of the court. Wham! The last of her four discs blasts her opponent’s disc out of the top 10-point spot to be replaced by Janet’s own. There is no cheering, just a silent, sweet victory.
Horseshoes and shuffleboard are only two of the games offered during the Clarksville Parks and Recreation 50-Plus Olympics held in the third week of May every year in Clarksville, Tenn. The event began 25 years ago in an effort to provide participants an opportunity to practice before competing in the Tennessee District Senior Olympic games. Every year, thousands of seniors compete in district events held across the state in 10 regions. Winners from the districts qualify for the Tennessee Senior Olympic State Finals held each summer. The state final winners then qualify for the National Senior Games held every 2 years. Participants understand that the Clarksville 50-Plus Olympics is a non-qualifying event for the district games, yet the local games give seniors a chance to indulge in some healthy competition in preparation for the district and state levels.