Testing Their Mettle at Senior Games

If senior citizens and Olympic events seem like mutually exclusive terms to you, a whole week’s worth of activities in Long Beach could change your mind.

Granted, the Senior Olympics do not feature some of the more demanding Olympic events such as the decathlon or Dream Team basketball, but that doesn’t mean the competitions are short on drama.

For instance, sometime after 8:30 this morning, Dr. Tom Amberry will snug his toes up against a free-throw line and bounce a basketball a few times before taking careful aim at the basket. A hush will fall over the crowd as the retired podiatrist concentrates on the shot. He shoots! He scores!

At least, he usually scores. At the World Senior Athlete Games in Montreal this year, Amberry made 486 of 500 free throws. Amberry, who will be 71 this month, has won gold medals all over the country while participating in more than 70 senior competitions in the last 18 months.

The seniors who participate in the 20 events in Long Beach have something more to shoot for than the cheers of the crowd. Many of the events are qualifying matches for the state Senior Olympics in San Diego next September. Winners there will continue to national games in 1995.

The local games are presented by the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department and began Wednesday. Events will continue this week all over the city, and admission is free for spectators.

Today, basketball is the main course, with free throw, sharp shooting and three-on-three games in the Pan American Gym, 5157 Centralia St. Free throw and sharp shooting start at 8:30 a.m., three-person games begin at 11 a.m.

Monday and Tuesday are given over to bowling--singles games at 10 a.m. Monday and doubles at the same time Tuesday. These events will be at Cal Bowl, 2500 E. Carson St.

Wednesday, the crowd will move to Yankee Doodles pool hall, 4100 E. Ocean Blvd., for a little eight-ball at 10 a.m. Also on Wednesday, lawn bowling teams will take to the green at Recreation Park, at Park Avenue and Federation Drive. Mixed teams will square off at 10 a.m. Lawn bowling finals will be at the same location at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Table tennis will begin at noon Thursday at Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St. Horseshoes competition will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave.

The competition will wind up Saturday with individual track and field events beginning at 9 a.m. at Veterans Stadium, 5000 Lew Davis St.

Information: 421-9431, Ext. 3260.