Feature Article October 16, 2002
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Smith and Nicolson national medalistsBy Meghan Balogh On September 18, 711 participants from across Canada gathered in P.E.I. for the 2002 Canada Senior Games. Among the 30 from Ontario were Margaret Smith and Diane Nicolson, both from Arden. The first Canada Senior Games were held in Saskatchewan in 1996, and then in Alberta in 1998. The areas of competition are designed to not only physically challenge the participants, but also provide mental challenges as well; darts, scrabble, track & field, bowling, and cycling are all included in competition. Each area is organized by age-starting at 55 and going up into the 90s. Diane and Margaret shared their experiences at the Games with the Arden Seniors at their meeting last week. They described some of the people they met and competed with. One was a 91-year-old named Myrtle. Diane remarked, "Myrtle chose to swim 8 lengths instead of 4, and took home a gold medal. She learned to swim at the age of 86." Another participant was a 75-year-old man who was blind, and competed in running. He held a rope and ran with a younger man, who held the other end of the rope and guided him around the track.Both Margaret and Diane agreed that going to the games was "an extraordinary experience." These two amazing seniors (who don't look like seniors) both came home with medals-Diane with gold for the 200 yard Predicted Swim, and Margaret with silver for the 1000 m Predicted Walk. Diane commented about Margaret's achievement, "Marg's smile never faded. Even when she found out her time wasn't so good, she still grinned."
As they closed their presentation, the women dedicated their medals to the Arden Seniors, and to Reverend David Proctor. "Thank you to Arden Seniors and Evelyn Izzard for your support, enthusiasm, and congratulations. These medals are for you." For more information about the Canada Senior Games, visit their website at: www.csga.info
