Wyoming Senior Olympics Held in Cheyenne for the First Time

What sport are you competing in at the Senior Olympics?

Cheyenne is hosting the 2011 Wyoming Senior Olympics for the first time in the games' 25-year history. They run today, August 10, through August 13 at various sites around the Capitol City.

Since it began, the games have annually been held during the last week in July which around here means Cheyenne Frontier Days. Organizers received permission from the National Senior Games Association to move the event to August.

Athletes over age 50 from around the world will compete in 24 different sports for a total of 117 medals.

The events range from track and field, billiards, mountain biking and even pickleball. Medals will be awarded to the top finishers from Wyoming and the top out-of-state finisher in each event. Each host city gets back-to-back years, in order to work out any kinks. So at next year's Wyoming Senior Olympics in Cheyenne, winners will qualify for the National Senior Olympics in Cleveland.

The Parade of Athletes begins at 5:30 Thursday evening, August 11, at the Capitol building and marches to the Depot Plaza where the torch will be lit and a barbeque will be held for the athletes.