PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING, WELLNESS, AND ACTIVE LIVING THROUGH INTERNATIONAL GERI OLYMPICS AND INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING

The International Geri Olympics is a product of a Memo of Understanding between Charles University in the Czech Republic and West Virginia State University in the United States. Geri Olympics programs sposored by West Virginia State University will celebrate 23 years of continuous operation in 2010. The MOU will celebrate 10 years of cooperative efforts in 2010 in addition to exchanges of faculty, students and civic leaders several research and projects have developed. One of these projects has involved Geri Olympics-Charles University representatives have visited and participated in the West Virginia Geri Olympics returning to Prague to develop a similar program. The International Geri Olympics has been held for 5 years and in October of 2008 the first American team came to Prague to compete in the sporting events. Geri Olympics is a competitive event for Nursing Home resident athletes. Nuraing homes are often thought of as places where older folks go to die. The Geri Olympics model used by both Universities and their community support networks uses competitive events to promote wellness, active living and involvement as indicators of quality of life. Many of the resident athletes spend at least 6 months of the year training for the events. They are encouraged by a host of children or youth in their quest for the gold - the kids also learn to respect, honor and cheer for the elder athletes.
The Geri Olympics programs are products of the two respective universities who have as a part of their mission "taking the university to the community." Advocacy, improving community awareness and building bridges to the community or between the nursing care facility and the community are also important aspects of Geri Olympics. The Universities also have built cooperative relationships with non profit agencies or businesses that support and promote geri olympics programs.