Huntsman World Senior Games Offers Variety of Events to Locals

Shannon Miller, Olympic Gold Medalist

The Huntsman World Senior Games is celebrating 25 years of fostering worldwide peace, health and friendship.  In October, more than 10,000 athletes will converge on St. George, filling up hotels, restaurants and main thoroughfares throughout the city as they enjoy the competition and camaraderie of what has become an annual tradition for many.  All 50 of the United States will be represented as well as athletes from a variety of countries.

Part of the success of the Games is attributed to the philosophy founded in the early years of providing much more than just a sporting event.

“The Games is a total experience for the athletes,” says Case.  “And many of the social and entertainment events the athletes love are open to the public.”

Case encourages the community to come out and celebrate the 25th year of the Games at any or all of these various events.

Following the pattern of the Olympics, the Games kicks off with a grand Opening Ceremonies, produced by Diamond Talent, where admission is free and the public is invited.  The Ceremonies include a parade of athletes, entertainment, fireworks and the traditional lighting of the Huntsman World Senior Games Cauldron.  The Opening Ceremonies takes place on Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Hansen Stadium on the campus of Dixie State College.  Attendees should bring blankets and lawn chairs.

“The Opening Ceremonies is a chance for the athletes and the local residents to come together and celebrate,” Case says.  The show will feature professional entertainers, special guests and local school children presenting a Flag Extravaganza, highlighting each of the 63 countries that have participated in the Games.

Shannon Miller, the Most Decorated American Gymnast, male or female, in history will be on hand to inspire and encourage the community and the athletes to be the best they can be.  Miller is the only American to rank among the Top 10 All-Time gymnasts and is the only female athlete to be inducted into the US Olympics Hall of Fame – Twice! (Individual in 2006 and Team in 2008).  Over her career she has won an astounding 59 International and 49 National competition medals.  Over half of these have been gold. She is the only US gymnast to win 2 World All-Around Titles. Her tally of five medals (2 silver, 3 bronze) at the 1992 Olympics was the most medals won by a US athlete. At the ’96 Games, she led the “Magnificent Seven” to the US Women’s first ever Team Gold and for the first time for any American gymnast, she captured Gold on the Balance Beam.


Not to be outdone by the first week’s Opening Ceremonies, the second week of the Games kicks off with the Huntsman World Senior Games Concert & Celebration which takes place on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm at Burns Arena, Dixie State College.  Headlining act at the Concert & Celebration this year is the Bellamy Brothers.  For more than 35 years, the Bellamy Brothers have been an unassuming picture of consistency in Country music, crafting honest, heartfelt songs that connect with millions of listeners around the world including their mega-hit “Let Your Love Flow.”

Admission to the Concert & Celebration for Games’ participants and a guest is free of charge.  The community is encouraged to attend.  The ticket price for non-athletes is only $12.00 in advance and $15.00 the day of the show.  Tickets can be purchased at the Dixie State College Ticket Office or by calling 435-652-7800.

Anyone wanting to attend a World Championship event will be impressed with The Global Cup – World Senior Volleyball Championship.  The Global Cup is an invitation only tournament that features the best 50 and over players on the planet.

“The Global Cup is really unique,” says Merrill Barney, Sports Director for the Games.  “There really isn’t anything like it in the world.  Teams come and are playing for national pride.”

The teams alternate each year between men and women.  This year, women’s teams from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Russia, USA and Venezuela will take the court. International Volleyball Rules govern play throughout the tournament, which will begin on Monday, October 10 and will culminate in the medal matches being played on Thursday, October 13. Pool play is free to watch and will take place in the Dixie Center. The finals will be held at the Desert Hills High School Main Gym with the Bronze Medal games starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the finals are available for just $7.00.  Huntsman World Senior Games athletes and volunteers will be able to attend the finals free of charge with their athlete identification. 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the public is invited to attend any of the regular sporting events free of charge.  Schedules are available on the Games web site at www.seniorgames.net.

“These athletes come from all over the world to participate in the sporting events they love,” said Case.  “I’ve never met anyone who attended these events who did not leave inspired.”

For additional information on the Games or any of its events, visit the web at www.seniorgames.org or call the office at 800-562-1268.