Active Aging

4 ACTIVE AGING | SPRING 2021 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Badminton is one way to stay active and keep Father Time at bay. Photo by Darin Kachanoski "I am excited at the prospect of staging the 55+ Games virtually for the first time." Nordic pole walking is a safe, healthy way to stay active. Courtesy Active Aging in Manitoba "We're giving them a little extra time this year to have some fun with it," she says. Another difference with this year's virtual Games is the fact they will feature 14 events rather than the 23 that are normally part of the in-person version. The 14 events that will be part of the virtual Games were chosen on the basis that they could be done mostly outdoors or with someone in your immediate family or bubble, Heidrick explains. "We picked things that were easy and accessible for people," she says. Perhaps the biggest difference between this year's Games and previous ones will be the lack of in-person interaction between athletes. The Games normally attract more than 1,000 participants from across the province. "It's like a Games family," Dudgeon says. "You're basically meeting up with old friends." That lack of personal interaction is the reason why Games officials will be asking this year's participants to share their stories via pictures, videos and emails. "It will still allow people to connect with each other in a sense," Heidrick says. While it's too early to say how many people will take part in this year's Games, Heidrick is confident interest in the event remains high. "We know that the interest is there. A lot of the participants like being active, engaged and being social."

• Cover