THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 22, 1996 TAG: 9603200189
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REBECCA A. MYERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
A total hip replacement may keep Ed Davis from participating in three-on-three basketball or the 100-meter run, but it won't keep him from striving for the gold at this year's olympic games.
The 65-year-old has his sights set on a medal in croquet or perhaps indoor horseshoes - but not at the Summer Games in Atlanta. Davis will be an olympian at the PAGO Games in Portsmouth.
The city's first Portsmouth Area Golden Olympics - PAGO for short - begins the week of May 6. Most events will be at Churchland High School on May 11, including a health rally from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the school halls.
The five-day event, presented by the Mayor's Commission on Aging, is open to seniors 55 and older and includes activities for all fitness levels, as well as for the disabled.
``A lot of times when you say the word `olympics,' it's frightening to some because they may think that they need to be athletic or jock types, and this is not the case,'' says Dixie Davis, Ed's wife and a PAGO Games volunteer.
Events designed with the less-active athlete in mind include croquet, indoor horseshoes, egg races, Frisbee throws, balloon catches, jigsaw puzzle competitions, crochet, bridge, checkers, line dancing and poetry readings.
``It's going to be a really fun thing for seniors in Portsmouth,'' says Dixie Davis, 59, an Olive Branch resident. ``They have games that allow everybody to take part and allow everybody to have the fellowship of being with other seniors. It's a good reason for people to get out and about.''
The week will begin with billiards, May 6, and bowling, May 8, at Pinboy's of Western Branch. Golfers can hit the links at Bide-A-Wee Golf Course on May 9, while swimmers compete in the breast stroke and free-style at the Portsmouth YMCA in Churchland May 10.
The final day of the games will take these olympians to Churchland High, where the remaining 26 activities will be held. Some of the more competitive events include a 5,000-meter walk, football punt and pass, doubles tennis, a 100-meter run, softball hit and throw and three-on-three basketball.
How many participants do organizers expect?
``I'll get up and do a dance if we have 400,'' says Margie Connor, director of the Portsmouth Senior Center. ``I don't see any reason why we shouldn't. There is something for every senior.''
Eventually, Connor would like to see the PAGO Games become a steppingstone to state and national competitions. This year's state games will be from May 29 through June 2 at the College of William and Mary. National events are held every other year. About 10,000 senior athletes are expected to attend the 1997 nationals in Tucson, Ariz.
``We believe that the social aspects of the games are just as important as the competitive,'' says Connor, who serves as state chairperson for the national competition.
Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. May 11 in the Churchland High gymnasium, followed by lunch at noon in the cafeteria. The day will end with an ice cream social and dancing in the cafeteria at 4 p.m.
Because there will be no on-site registration, participants must fill out forms and return them to the Portsmouth Senior Center with all fees by April 18.
Forms are available in Portsmouth at all public libraries and recreation centers, the Visitors Center at Portside, Tower Mall, at Maryview and Portsmouth General hospitals and at those Portsmouth fast-food restaurants where seniors play bingo. MEMO: For more information, call Margie Connor at 398-3777 or Phyllis Creamer
at 393-1031. by CNB