
DATE: Tuesday, April 15, 1997               TAG: 9704150246

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY REBECCA MYERS CUTCHINS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   68 lines

SIGN NOW, SHINE LATER AT GOLDEN OLYMPICS

With two knee replacements behind him, 77-year-old Pat Alvino is now able to compete in the 1,500-meter racewalk without the crippling pain he felt three years ago.

Pitching horseshoes, swinging at a softball and shooting hoops will be a little easier this year, too.

It's a good thing, because Alvino has signed up to compete in all of these events and more in next month's Portsmouth Area Golden Olympics.

``I lost my wife five years ago, and I wanted to keep myself busy and try to take care of myself,'' said Alvino, a Kingman Heights resident. ``That's the biggest reason, I guess, that I'm active in these things.''

The event, presented by the Mayor's Commission on Aging and the city of Portsmouth, is open to anyone 55 or older by the first day of competition, which is May 5. Seniors do not have to be Portsmouth residents to participate.

``That's what makes us unique,'' said Margie Connor, director of the Portsmouth Senior Center. ``That's why we're called the Portsmouth Area Golden Olympics.''

The event will begin with billiards on May 5 and bowling on May 7 at Pinboy's of Western Branch. Golfers will hit the links at Sleepy Hole Golf Course on May 6, and swimmers will compete May 9 at the Portsmouth YMCA in Churchland.

More than two dozen events are scheduled hourly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10 at Churchland High School. A health rally will be held simultaneously in the school's halls.

The Golden Olympics includes activities for all fitness levels, including physically challenged seniors.

``I think there's a misconception out there about the games,'' Connor said. ``I think the perception by a lot of seniors is that they have to be athletic, and you don't. It's for the novice. It's for beginners.''

For the more sedentary, activities range from a jigsaw puzzle competition to a balloon catch, while the more competitive events include a 50-meter run, doubles tennis and three-on-three basketball. Seniors with disabilities may choose to participate in five-pin bowling, horseshoes and/or shuffleboard.

Because there will be no on-site registration, participants must fill out forms and return them, including any fees, to the Portsmouth Senior Center, 305 High St., by Friday.

Connor hopes to have 500 seniors competing in the games. About 300 participated in last year's PAGO games, the city's first. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by BILL TIERNAN/The Virginian-Pilot

Pat Alvino, 77, practices the shot put Monday at the Joseph Parker

Recreation Center in Portsmouth as he prepares for the Golden

Olympics in May.

Graphic

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

What: Portsmouth Area Golden Olympics

Who: Open to all seniors 55 or older by the first day of

competition. Participants do not have to be Portsmouth residents.

When: Begins May 5, with most events being held May 10 at

Churchland High School.

Registration: Registration forms, including fees, must be

returned to the Portsmouth Senior Center, 305 High St., by Friday.