Wisconsin Senior Olympics prove age is just a number

MADISON, Wis. — A number of years in the past, Marilyn Helms couldn’t stroll to her mailbox with out help. She was decided to kick her walker to the curb, and she or he did.

“It began off that approach after which it ended up with lifting,” Helms mentioned. 

At 84 years younger, Helms is pulling her weight as she prepares for Wisconsin’s Senior Olympics. 

This fierce competitor can elevate her weight after which some. Helms has COPD, so between reps, she takes breaks to catch her breath.

“Weight lifting additionally elevated my bone density, she mentioned.

“It’s about staying social. It’s motivating,” mentioned Yvonne Lewandowski, Senior Director of Wisconsin Senior Olympics.

“We’ve got a variety of athletes who come to us after coronary heart assault surgical procedures,” she mentioned. “They thrive, they wish to beat no matter they needed to start with.”

Whereas it may appear stunning to some, the age to join the Senior Olympics begins at age 40.

“I know when individuals hear senior they assume previous. If you flip 40, you aren’t all the time accessible to be on a long-term softball workforce or a volleyball workforce,” Lewandowski mentioned. “This helps you keep lively.”

Lewandowski can also be a proud senior competitor.

“I’m hoping that once I attain that age, I’m in a position to elevate that a lot,” Lewandowski mentioned. “She’s been inspirational to a variety of us. She does maintain the document in Wisconsin for the deadlift for the 120 kilos that she lifeless lifted final yr. She’s awe-inspiring.”

“I elevate to raised myself,” Helms mentioned.

With the help of her coach, Helms has 2 gold medals. This yr she is hoping so as to add one other. Helms competes within the deadlift portion of Wisconsin’s Senior Olympics on Aug. 26 in Milwaukee.

Extra data on registration, instances and availability could be discovered at https://www.wiseniorolympics.com.