Local veterans participate in national veterans golden age games | va greater los angeles health care | veterans affairs

Los Angeles , CA — 22 local Veterans from VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) are participating in the 38th National Veterans Golden Age Games (Golden Age Games), August 24 –

29 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Veterans from VAGLAHS are competing in adaptive sports for cornhole, bowling, track and field (100m, 200m, 400m), air rifle, air pistol, bobsled, golf,

shuffleboard, horseshoes, boccia, badminton, table tennis, nineball, pickleball, basketball free throw, kickball, swimming and field events such as javelin, shot put, and discus.  Each

Veteran will compete alongside more than 800 fellow Veterans, supported by nearly 2,000 volunteers.  “The National Veterans Golden Age Games fosters camaraderie through competition and also

significantly enhances the physical health and well-being of Veterans,” said Dr. Eapen Blessen, Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. The Golden Age Games lasts for six

days:  * Day 0: Athlete arrival and event registration check-in.  * Day 1: Event registration check-in continues, a health and wellness exposition, a parade of athletes and sport

competitions begin.  * Day 2 - 5: Sport competitions and exhibition events.  * Day 6: Sports competitions wrap up and passing of the torch.  Founded in 1985, the Golden Age Games serves

Veterans ages 55 and older. Through its “Fitness for Life” motto, the Golden Age Games offers athletic competitions and health education sessions to demonstrate the value that sports,

wellness and fitness provide to assist Veterans with living an active and healthy lifestyle. The Golden Age Games is a qualifying event for the National Senior Games, a member of the U.S.

Olympic Committee.  Firmly based on VA clinical research and expertise, the Golden Age Games has served thousands of Veterans and trained hundreds of VA rehabilitation providers across more

than 125 VA health care facilities. With the support of local VA facilities, Veterans can and should participate in recreational sports and fitness programs throughout the year. The Golden

Age Games are sponsored by VA and Veterans Canteen Service (VCS).   To view live updates from the Golden Age Games, follow @Sports4Vets on X and Sports4Vets on Instagram, Sports4Vets on

Facebook, search #GoldenAgeGames or visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/veteransaffairs/albums.  To view our daily YouTube content, “The Gold Rush,” search #GoldenAgeGames:  For more

information or to request an interview via Zoom/Teams, please contact Jason Strickland, National Veterans Golden Age Games media liaison, at [email protected], 303-619-1145.