If strolling past College Green you will now be greeted by some very large framed photographs adorning it’s edge.
These are part of a new exhibition showcasing photographs of old people doing sport and exercising.
It’s the brainchild of Bristol photographer, campaigner and broadcaster Alex Rotas.
The 69-year-old from Westbury is hoping the project called ‘No Limits’ will challenge the perceptions of ageing and inspire people to take up physical activity.
ventures around the globe taking photos of a secret world - the world of Masters athletes.
Unbeknown to many, some people as old as 100 are competing in athletics events, performing amazing physical feats and setting world records.
Alex photographs these top level athletes who often have incredible stories. Many started sport late in life and didn’t realise the talent they possessed.
They include a pair of identical Irish twins winning regular international competitions, an 80-year-old who had a stroke and cancer treatment yet recovered to compete a month later and Olga Koltelka, who "looks like an old lady at a bus stop but is a superwoman."
The Canadian track and field athlete was breaking records in her 90s and Alex presumed she had been competing all her life.
She had in fact only started to exercise in her 70s.
One of the athletes featured in the exhibition is Bristol’s Ann Dockery.
The 71-year-old is a member of the GB team which topped the medal table at the most recent World Masters Athletics Championships in Spain.
She regularly runs the 1500m in well under seven minutes.
Alex hopes photos of Ann and her contemporaries on the Masters circuit displayed at College Green will stop passers by in their tracks.
She said: “My pictures of elite older athletes are proof that at 60, 70, 80, 90 and above the human body is capable of a lot more than most of us think.
“Photographs of them in action present a very different story to the images we so often see of elderly people slumped in care home chairs or maybe going for a gentle walk.
“There’s nothing wrong with a gentle walk, but if you want to, you can challenge yourself more."
Mindful that not everyone can be ‘superhuman’ there are also many pictures of old athletes taking part in grassroots activities across Bristol.
Alex said: “I recognise we can’t all be record-beaters and medal winners.
"So, I am also exhibiting images of everyday Bristol seniors demonstrating that it’s possible to gain physical, mental and social benefits from any level of physical activity .”
The exhibition launched on August 1, and will be at College Green throughout the month of August. The large framed photographs will be lit up, so people can come and see them at night.
The ‘No Limits’ exhibition is being mounted by Active Ageing Bristol, a collaboration between Bristol Sport Foundation, St Monica Trust and The Anchor Society, with funding from Bristol Health Partners.
Active Ageing Bristol aims to "transform attitudes to, and opportunities for, sport and physical activity," as well as "build on existing provision and develop new opportunities to encourage people aged 55 and over to become and stay active."
To find out more about Active Ageing Bristol click here
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