Bob Mackie and Louise Parker participated as athletes at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah in October, winning another silver medal for Canada in the square dance event held in the SunRiver ballroom.
“We had a wonderful time dancing with skilled square dancers and amazing ballroom dancers that we have come to know as friends,” Parker said. “Winning another silver for Canada really makes us feel like fit and healthy senior athletes that can compete with the best.”
The duo now has four silver and three bronze medals each.
The Huntsman World Senior Games is a world-class Olympic-format, international sporting event for athletes ages 50 years and up. The Games host more than 10,000 athletes in about 30 events including baseball, swimming, pickleball, cycling, tennis, and golf (which Mackie has also participated in several times).
Bridge is another event held in a country club setting for those who are seeking mental challenges. Registration also includes free health testing at the Dixie Centre, including tests for BMI, blood work, blood sugar and blood pressure, BrainIQ, balance, bone density, hearing, eyes, and carotid artery assessment using ultrasound.
“There has been a lot of research that suggests the physical, mental and social exercise of dancing with others is a great way to ward off signs of aging illnesses such as Alzheimer’s,” Parker said.
“It’s exciting to dance to international square dance callers who use upbeat modern music with their complex and challenging choreography. We also spent several mornings volunteering at the Dixie Convention Centre greeting athletes from around the world and handing out their name tags, bags and shirts. Lots of fun!”
