Over 1,000 senior athletes are expected to compete in the 32nd Annual Senior Olympics Summer Games that will be held in Las Cruces from July 28 through August 1, 2010. With a variety of local qualifying games already underway, athletes must compete and qualify in their respective sporting event, or events, at the local qualifying games, which will continue through May 31, 2010, in order to participate in the Summer Games.

Cecilia Acosta, executive director of New Mexico Senior Olympics Inc., estimates that over 1,800 athletes will qualify at the local games and about 1,200 will register for the State Summer Games. This year also serves as the only qualifying opportunity for seniors in the state to attend the 2011 National Senior Olympics Games in Houston, Texas.  There are a wide variety of sporting events offered at local games including: billiards, cycling, track and field, bowling, table tennis, racquetball, badminton, a number of other sports. Schedules for local qualifying games will vary based on local interest and sporting venues available in their locality. Playing rules state that athletes must place 1st-6th in their respective age divisions- 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, etc. in order to be eligible to register for State Summer Games. The registration fee for the State Summer Games is $45 per person and allows for participants to compete in up to ten different sports.

Posters for the State Summer Games are now available for local game coordinators and can be modified to include contact information that will help to link local senior participants. All local game sites have various deadlines and scheduling information which can be found on the NMSO website at www.nmseniorolympics.org or by calling the toll free hotline at (888) 623-6776. There are 32 sanctioned games sites currently planning local games. Athletes register in the game site where nearest to them. Local game sites are required to submit local qualifying data to NMSO by June 1st.

For more information on the Senior Olympics visit www.nmseniorolympics.org or contact Cecilia Acosta at (575) 623-5777 or (575) 642-6048

Nestled in the Mesilla Valley between the Rio Grande River and Organ Mountains, Las Cruces, New Mexico is quickly becoming a popular southwestern destination. Visitors can experience 72 holes of spectacular year-round golf and world-class Mexican food. Las Cruces blends a unique variety of special events, attractions, culture and historical sites, as well as superb weather, with 350 days of sunshine per year. For more information on all Las Cruces has to offer, contact the Las Cruces Convention & Visitors Bureau at (575) 541-2150 or visit www.lascrucescvb.org.