Brussels' elderly prove age no barrier to "Olympic" endeavour
SHOWS: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (SEPTEMBER 12, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
1. ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH HELPERS ON STARTING LINE FOR RELAY RACE
2. SPECTATORS WATCHING RACE
3. ELDERLY PEOPLE LINING UP ON START LINE
4. RELAY RACE STARTING
5. ELDERLY MAN CROSSING FINISH LINE IN RELAY RACE
6. PARTICIPANT TO THE EVENT, MAMADI SYLLA, AGED 61, CROSSING FINISH LINE
7. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARTICIPANT TO THE "SENIOR OLYMPICS", MAMADI SYLLA, SAYING:
"Yes, in my country of origin (Ivory coast) I used to do sport. But since I arrived here not. And it's only today that I started doing sport again. I enjoy it."
8. VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANT TO THE EVENT, CHRISTIAN PREUD'HOMME, AGED 70, SHOOTING BOW AND ARROW
9. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARTICIPANT TO THE "SENIOR OLYMPICS", CHRISTIAN PREUD'HOMME, SAYING:
"I didn't do too badly! I'm happy. Each time they organise an event, I love to participate, because it's a different atmosphere."
10. ELDERLY PERSON DRAWING BOW
11. ELDERLY LADY SHOOTING ARROW AT TARGET
12. GROUP OF ELDERLY PEOPLE GETTING READY FOR ARCHERY COMPETITION
13. ELDERLY PERSON SHOOTING BOW
STORY: Belgium's national stadium played host to the "Olympics for Seniors" on Thursday (September 12), with 148 locals competing in events ranging from relay races to archery.
The field was packed, with 12 old people's homes taking part in the competition organised annually by Brussels city hall since 2017.
A recent study by the Leuven University showed the average age of Belgians is on the rise and the event was designed to encourage seniors to take part in sporting activities.
Helpers from the rest homes and family members were also invited to support the participants.
Despite their age, the competitors showed stamina - the final relay race had been re-run several times before the athletes could be persuaded to sit down for tea and cake.
True to the Olympic ethos, it was the taking part rather than the winning which mattered, and all participants were awarded a medal.
The King Baudouin national stadium is home to the Belgian national football team, known as the 'Red Devils. It has a capacity of over 50,000 on match days.
