Meet Miss. Philippa “Phil” Raschker, 65 years old from Meriatta, Georgia.  In 2004, Phil became the oldest female finalists in the history of the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, which recognizes America’s best Amateur Athlete. The other 2004 finalists for the award were Diana Taurasi, Apolo Ohno, LeBran James and the winner Michael Phelps.

In 23 years as a Masters and Senior Track & Field athlete, competing in practically every event possible, Phil Raschker set and unbelievable 105 American Age group records and 45 world records. Along the way she pioneered the women’s polevault, clearing an age group world record of 11 feet one inch at the age of 42 and set standard in the heptathlon that most men her age cannot attain. With all of this, she still had time to assist and instruct her fellow competitors, many of whom will tell you that were it not for Phil’s encouragement they would no longer be competing. She is perhaps the most decorated female athlete in the history of senior track & field.

Most of us believe that an Olympian must be young and perfectly built, but there are another set of Olympians that are winning records of their own.  The NSGA, Nation Senior Games Association, is a non-profit member of the United States Olympic Committee dedicated to motivating senior men and women to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement.

These 50 years old and older athletes compete in Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Golf, Horseshoes, Pickleball, Race Walk, Racquetball, Road Race, Shuffleboard, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, Triathlon, and Volleyball.

Age of Champions is the award-winning documentary following five competitors who sprint, leap, and swim for gold at the National Senior Olympics. You’ll meet a 100 year-old tennis champion, 86 year-old pole vaulter, and rough-and-tumble basketball grandmothers as they discover the power of the human spirit and triumph over the limitations of age.

http://ageofchampions.org/about-the-film/

The National Senior Games Association and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission are excited to host the 2013 Summer National Senior Games in Cleveland, Ohio! Cleveland is a world-class city that will greet the Summer National Senior Games with open arms and a commitment to making this a great and memorable event for all. The medal-contending competitions are free for spectators with the majority to take place in Cleveland’s vibrant Downtown at our state-of-the-art facilities that include Cleveland Public Hall, Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, Victory Park Ohio and the beautiful shores of Lake Erie.

http://www.nsga.com/2013-national-games