STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After all the victories were won in the pool, on the tennis court or golf course and at the bridge table, and after all the medals were presented to proud competitors, the biggest award of all went to the woman who, for the last 20 years, has made the Staten Island Senior Olympics possible.

And in celebration of her great contribution, in the first year after she stepped down as chairwoman in November, the Games were officially renamed "The Bea Victor Senior Olympics" during the closing ceremony yesterday in Cromwell Center, Tompkinsville.

Ms. Victor, a Sunnyside resident who started the Games after suffering a heart attack in 1987, carried a fireless torch as she led a procession of medal-winners.

The Games started small, with fewer than 100 competitors and five events when Ms. Victor first hatched her idea to give seniors an opportunity to keep their bodies strong and their minds engaged. This year's games, which began Sept. 14 and concluded yesterday, included about 400 participants and 19 events, including basketball, swimming, bocce, golf, pocket billiards, checkers, shuffleboard and chess.

Marie Ellner, who succeeded Ms. Victor as chair, pledged to continue the Games "for the next millennium, at least," and to keep the fun and games going and uphold Ms. Victor's motto, "Use it or lose it."

Whether it was on an Olympic playing field, or by volunteering to stuff envelopes, make phone calls, cook for the athletes, or help them sign up for events, all the participants were "able to continue to contribute to their community and feel good about it," Ms. Victor said.

Advance Editor Brian Laline presented Ms. Victor, who also writes a column on aging for the Advance, with the Les Trautmann Award, named for the late Advance editor. The plaque was inscribed with the words "We shall grow older, but never old."

No one embodies that sentiment better than Hank Bergeron of Mariners Harbor, who at 86 years young cleaned up, winning 10 medals in several events, including swimming, shuffleboard, horseshoes, miniature golf and croquet.

"We have too many couch potatoes today," Bergeron said. "I have ailments too, but I try to circumvent them with exercise. ... I'm not running on fumes yet. I'm on a full tank."

Showing off their limber bodies and artistic abilities, a group of Olympians showcased a variety of line dances, aerobic performances and a t'ai chi exercise following the pomp of the ceremony.
Maura Yates is a news reporter for the Advance.

She may be reached at myates@siadvance.com

© 2008 Staten Island Advance