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The Heart of Illinois Senior
Olympics not only recognizes excellence in fitness but also acknowledges the
creativity and spirit of those 50 and older.
All participants experience the fun of competition regardless of
skill level. You don't have to be an expert to participate in any event. Just come out and enjoy spending time with
friends and meeting new people. Show us your creative side in the Fine Art
Festival or learn how to play Pickle Ball! There really is something for
everyone.
Our Mission
- To
encourage & promote an active lifestyle for individuals age 50 &
older
- To
provide a showcase to recognize individual and group excellence in
creativity and fitness through opportunities in a wide variety of
- Athletic
Competitions
- Fun
Challenges
- Visual,
Literary, and Performing Arts
- To
have games that are accessible and affordable to all older individuals
- To
nurture a spirit of camaraderie among participants
- To
provide technical assistance to athletes which promotes safe and
appropriate training and performance practices
- To strengthen public image and heighten interest for
the Senior Olympic programs at the local, state and national levels.
History of the Heart of Illinois
Senior Olympics
In January of 1999, Peoria
area resident Frank Hubbell contacted the Illinois State Senior Olympic Board
and expressed an interest in starting games in the Peoria Area. The State
organization put him in contact with Vic Durchholz, also of Peoria, who in
turn contacted Jim and Kay Allen of Morton, all participants in the Illinois
State Senior Olympics Games since the early 1990’s.
Three months later, a
Steering Committee made up of Frank Hubbell, Vic and Janice Durchholz, and
Jim and Kay Allen, began meeting to assess the feasibility of having Peoria
Olympic games. For several years
during the early 1980’s, senior games under the name of Greater Peoria Senior
Olympics were held in Peoria
and East Peoria. The steering committee made the decision that there should
be a local event and they decided to call the games the Heart Of
Illinois Senior Olympics.
The
committee started to plan the events, find facilities, and seek funds and
publicity. The Peoria Park District
and the Peoria YMCA were the first to become partners, and other park
districts soon followed. In November 1999, the Heart of Illinois Senior
Olympics was officially organized and a board was established. The first HISO
event was held in May 2000 with 283 participants, 75 events, and 120
volunteers. Today there are over 50 individual, team and tournament
events, plus fun challenge events and a fine arts festival.
Contact Information
Telephone:
309-681-2859
Address:
HISO
C/O Peoria Park District
2218
N. Prospect Road
Peoria , IL
61603
Email:
Shelly
Peters, Marketing and Event Coordinator
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