Wheelchair race, pancake toss: Brussels debuts 'Olympics for Seniors'
A participant takes part in the wool ball shot put event during the "Olympics for Seniors" at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Brussels hosted its first "Olympics for Seniors" on Tuesday, giving the chance for locals aged between 75 and 96 the chance to compete in a range of adapted sports at the national stadium.
More than 130 residents of private rest homes took part in activities ranging from throwing a wool ball, tossing a pancake, a music quiz and a wheelchair relay of four times 25 meters.
In line with Olympic founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin's principle, the important thing was not winning, but taking part.
A participant reacts after crossing the finishing line of the steeple chase event during the "Olympics for Seniors" at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
Brussels and "A Travers les Arts", an organization working with rest home residents, decided to launch the first edition to promote outdoor activities for elderly people in care and as part of a push to make the Belgian capital more age-friendly.
"Happiness has every age" was one of the key messages of the event.
Participants wait for the start of the 4x25 metres relay during the "Olympics for Seniors" event at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
(Reporting by Charlotte Steenackers; Editing by Philip Blenkinsop and Alison Williams)
A participant takes part in the 4x25 metres relay during the "Olympics for Seniors" event at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA participant is pushed by an assistant as they take part in the 4x25 metres relay during the "Olympics for Seniors" event at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA participant takes part in the wool ball shot put event during the "Olympics for Seniors" at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir A participant takes part in the javelin throw event during the "Olympics for Seniors" at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA participant is pushed by an assistant as they take part in the 4x25 metres relay during the "Olympics for Seniors" event at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA participant takes part in the wool ball shot put event during the "Olympics for Seniors" at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois LenoirParticipants are pushed by assistants as they take part in the 4x25 metres relay during the "Olympics for Seniors" event at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois LenoirA participant sits in a wheelchair as she takes part in the steeple chase event during the "Olympics for Seniors" at King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Belgium June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
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