More than 100 athletes over the age of 50 competed in the National Senior Games in Birmingham, Alabama. These athletes faced off against their peers from across the United States.
Before going national, competitors took part in the Arizona Senior Olympics, which is part of the Arizona Lifelong Fitness Foundation.
Thousands of seniors over the age of 50 can choose from 32 different sports - such as bowling, power lifting and tennis - and compete for gold, silver and bronze.
Irene Stillwell is the executive director of the foundation. She said a big driver for many of the athletes is good old fashion competition.
"Some people think you stop being competitive when you retire and that is just not true," Stillwell said. "We’re taught to compete from the time we’re little children and it never leaves us. We’re all competitive."
There’s also another reason, Stillwell said, "In sports there’s a special camaraderie that happens between people, and these folks make friends that they keep for years and years and for life."
The National Senior Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world for people over 50.
