Sports

4 Parkland Residents Compete in the 2022 Senior Olympics

by Bryan Boggiano May 1, 2022

by Bryan Boggiano May 1, 2022 20 views

4 Parkland Residents Compete in the 2022 Senior Olympics

Photo Provided by Steve Goldstein

By Bryan Boggiano

Four residents from Parkland are getting ready to flex their muscles and show their skills at the 2022 Senior Olympics in Fort Lauderdale, starting May 10 and continuing through May 23.

The athletes are Daniela Niss, Steve Goldstein, George Romanenko, and John Lewis.

The youngest Parkland competitor is Niss, 56, and the oldest is Lewis, 82.

The National Senior Games Association hosts the Senior Olympics every two years. They postponed the 2021 games due to COVID-19.

“We had to pivot and adapt,” said Sarah Henrikson, press account manager. “These games have been a challenge to navigate as everyone slowly adapted to new changes.”

At the 2022 event, Henrikson estimates that 12,000 athletes will compete in 22 different teams and individual sports at the Senior Olympics.

Ahead of the games, Parkland Talk caught up with Goldstein, 67, and Lewis, 82. who will participate in 3-on-3 basketball for players ages 65 and up.

Since he was a middle schooler in Philadelphia, Goldstein has been playing basketball.

4 Parkland Residents Compete in the 2022 Senior Olympics 1

Photo Provided by Steve Goldstein

He trains by practicing shooting and playing. He also has a trainer who helps him twice a week. According to him, training is the hard part, but shooting hoops for him is the most fun. For younger generations of athletes, Goldstein has some simple advice.

“Train and stretch. Be a good sport,” he said.

Lewis, who has been competing for 68 years, will participate in the shot put, discus, and javelin events.

He started competing in these events as a freshman in high school before participating in track and field in college and has 60 years of coaching experience in Florida, Michigan, and Illinois.

Lewis also had advice for younger athletes.

“Make sure you do the proper preparation,” he said. “Warm up and ‘listen’ to your body.

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Author Profile

Bryan Boggiano

A University of Florida journalism graduate, Bryan plans to pursue geosciences at Florida International University for his master's. He has a strong interest in weather, entertainment, and journalism.