THE VILLAGES – The Florida Sports Foundation and The Villages, Florida’s friendliest hometown, have finalized a partnership agreement making The Villages the presenting partner of the Florida Senior Games State Championships. Over the four-year term of the deal, The Villages will provide a significant commitment and promotion of the Florida Senior Games. Additionally, The Villages will become the host of the Florida Senior Games State Championships for three years beginning in 2003.

The Florida Senior Games, an Olympic-style sports festival for athletes 50 and over, attract athletes from around the state to participate in sports including Archery, Cycling, Swimming, Track & Field, Tennis, and approximately 15 other amateur sports. The State Championships were established in 1992, as the qualifier for the National Senior Games – The Senior Olympics, and senior games have been held on the local level throughout Florida for more than 30 years. With a mission to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, the Florida Senior Games serves as a true state championship, with athletes competing for the right to qualify at more than 20 local senior games events throughout the state.

The Villages, located in the heart of Central Florida, is known as “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.” The transformation from a small mobile home park began in 1983, to what is now an award-winning adult community. With more than 30,000 residents, The Villages is committed to providing an active lifestyle for all of the Villagers. The state of the art recreation and sports facilities enjoyed by their residents every day, will also serve as first-class competition venues for the Florida Senior Games beginning in 2003.

“Our residents, many of whom participated in the recent Florida Senior Games competitions, are thrilled with this Olympic-style competition being added to their active and healthy Villages lifestyle,” said Mark Morse, Vice President of The Villages.

“This is great news for the Florida Sports Foundation, the Florida Senior Games, and all of our Senior athletes throughout Florida,” said Larry Pendleton, Florida Sports Foundation president. “The Villages makes a commitment to active and healthy lifestyles in their community every day, and we look forward to a great partnership that will build on this mission statewide through the Florida Senior Games.”

The Florida Sports Foundation is the official sports development and promotions organization for the state of Florida. The Foundation is responsible for implementing the Sunshine State Games and the Florida Senior Games, Florida’s own Olympic-style sports festivals.

The 2002 Florida Senior Games State Championships will be held in Lakeland, Florida, from December 6-15, in venues throughout Polk County. More than 2,500 athletes are expected to compete in 2002, with the opportunity to qualify for the National Senior Games to be held in Hampton Roads, Virginia, in May 2003. For more information on how to qualify for the Florida Senior Games, or any of the Foundation’s programs or events, visit www.flasports.com. For more information on The Villages, Florida’s friendliest hometown, visit www.TheVillages.com, or call (800) 245-1081.