Athletic competitions have been on hold all over the United States due to the Covid 19 Pandemic from national to local competitions. Things are getting somewhat back-on-track with the Covid vaccines.

Two Sun City residents and members of Lakeview UMC, Dr. Lydia A. Woods and Margaret (Maggie) Atterbury, have recently returned from competing at the Nevada Senior Olympics held in Las Vegas at the University of Las Vegas, October 8-10, 2021 and the Huntsman World Senior Games held in St. George, Utah, October 11-13, 2021.

Participants had to bring proof of being vaccinated or testing negative within 7 days of the competition held in Nevada, but no proof was needed at the Huntsman World Games in Utah. Each State has its own regulations concerning Covid precautions. Woods has not been able to compete in these two back-to-back meets for two years due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. So, it finally felt good to run, jump and throw again!

Dr. Woods gave a presentation at Lakeview UMC in September as founder of “Ambassadors for Senior Olympics”, a non-profit organization that encourages Seniors to become physical active in sports competition. This resulted in Margaret Atterbury, age 82 deciding to participate in her first track & field meet competing in two events (shot put and Javelin) at the Nevada Senior Olympics. Woods coached her in both events and Lakeview UMC supported these two athletes with donations to help fund their trip.

Lakeview UMC was proud and excited when both athletes returned with Olympic gold medals. Atterbury won two gold medals in her events and Woods won 8 medals (triple jump, gold; high jump, silver: long jump; silver; pole vault, silver; 200m, silver; 400m, silver weight throw, bronze; hammer, bronze) at the Nevada Senior Olympics.

Woods went on to compete at the Huntsman World Games where she won (3) World medals (long jump, gold; 800m, silver; 1500m, silver). After 17 years of competing Woods has won a total of 726 medals.

Both athletes are planning to compete in the Arizona Senior Olympics in February 2022 and are hoping to convince other Seniors to become involved in competing.