(Washington, DC) Fifty-two senior athletes representing the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, Senior Services Division, participated in the 2007 Summer National Senior Games. The Senior Olympics were held June 22 through July 7 in Louisville, Kentucky. Approximately 12,000 athletes from across the country competed in this national event. The DC team took home four gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
Bradford Tatum, age 86, won gold medals in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle, a pair of silver medals in the 50- and 100-yard breast stroke and a bronze medal in the 50-yard freestyle. He also set two national swimming records for the 75-and-older athletes in the 100- and 50-yard freestyle.
“The athletes who compete in the Senior Olympics are truly an inspiration. These men and women exemplify the benefits of healthy aging, remaining active and socially engaged,” said Wanda S. Durden, Interim DPR Director.
In May, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, Seniors Services Division hosted the DC Golden Olympics which were held at Emery Recreation Center. Many of the athletes that qualified in the 2006 DC Golden Olympics represented the District of Columbia in the national games in Kentucky. Athletes at the national games competed in events including archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, racquetball, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, table tennis and volleyball.
| Swimming |
| Bradford Tatum |
50 yd freestyle |
Gold |
38.74* |
|
100 yd freestyle |
Gold |
1:30.88* |
|
200 yd freestyle |
Silver |
3:32.74 |
|
100 yd breaststroke |
Silver |
2:17.37 |
|
50 yd breaststroke |
Bronze |
57:27 |
| John Tatum, 88 |
100 yd freestyle |
Bronze |
1:53.78 |
|
50 yd freestyle |
4th |
45:38 |
| Jeannie Davis, 80 |
50 yd freestyle |
7th |
1:00.39 |
|
50 yd freestyle |
7th |
1:22.52 |
| Bowling |
| Eddie and Doris Sullivan,75 and 72 |
Mixed Doubles |
5th |
343, 308, 390 |
| Rita Graham-Long, 59 |
Singles |
6th |
144, 151, 142 |
| Doris Sullivan, 72 |
Singles |
7th |
194, 159, 148 |
| Carrie Russell, 80 |
Singles |
5th |
167, 173, 128 |
| Track and Field |
| Tyrone Brown, 62 |
4 x 100 Relay |
Gold |
49:02 |
| Marie Shaw, 75 |
Long Jump |
Gold |
1.91 m, 1.85 m, 1.97 m,2.4 m, 2.58 m, 2.58 m |
| Roland Hill, 68 |
4 x 100 Relay |
Bronze |
58:17 |
| Susie Barnes, 79 |
200 Meter Dash |
4th |
50:33 |
|
100 Meter Dash |
6th |
22:71 |
| 5000 Meter Race Walk |
| Tony Diamond, 78 |
5K |
8th |
37:07.60 |
* National record set