Senior winter games brings out the timeless spirit of competitors

By Jillian Toman

The residents of Schlegel’s The Village at St. Clair set out to prove competition is part of a timeless spirit.

Four local residents of the long-term care facility will go on to compete in the 2018 Schlegel Villages Winter Olympics held in Kitchener.

Eighty-five-year-old Paulette Terkelsen will join her team to compete in the sled pull, hockey shoot and triathlon and has her eye on the prize.

“When we go, I hope we win. When I go, I want to win,” said Terkelsen.

Terkelsen said opportunities like the Village Olympics encourage residents, also known as neighbours, to get active, try new things and showcase their athletic abilities.

She suggested the opportunity for a competitive platform be even broader.

“We should be able to go to other countries, to do this; I don’t think we should just stay here around Canada. We should go overseas and show them how we can do things,” said Terkelsen.

Janelle Way, a kinesiologist at The Village, said programs like the Olympics create an overall good morale and a sense of joy for all ‘neighbours’ and staff.

“It generates enthusiasm and gets rid of the stigma of long term care,” said Way.

She said the physical benefits of participants are recognized and celebrated.

“They are getting stronger. We see their balance improve. We see their strength improve. We see their agility and flexibility improve and just the pure joy of competing and having fun,” said Way.

The public is encouraged to follow the excitement of the Games Feb. 22, when the events will be streamed live on facebook.com/SchlegelVillages.