Birmingham welcomes the Senior Games

The Senior Games have officially begun in Birmingham, and the athletes aren't holding back. Created by the National Senior Games Association, the games feature 19 different sporting events for athletes aged 55 to over 100 years old.

From June 2-15, more than 10,000 participants will flock to the city to compete in a variety of locations, including the BJCC, the Hoover Met, Samford University, Oak Mountain State Park, Liberty Park and UAB. It is also estimated that the Games could bring approximately $35 million in revenue to the city.

While Birmingham had previously bid to host the Senior Games, David Galbaugh, director of sports sales and marketing at the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, previously said that what clinched the honor this year was the creation of the Birmingham Crossplex, which can host swim meets.

The Games will also serve as a look to the future to see how Birmingham handles large events, as the city has already been chosen to host the World Games in 2021.

“An event like this with so many moving parts … shows what we can do,” Galbaugh said in a previous interview. “This could put us on the stage to go after large, multi-sport events.”

To learn more about the Senior Games, or to find the competition schedule, click here.