PHILADELPHIA, June 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is once again the leading sponsor of the Senior Games in the five southeastern Pennsylvania counties. More than 2,000 area adults, ages 50 and older, are expected to show their commitment to staying physically and mentally fit by participating in the games. The Philadelphia games run June 2 through June 9, with the opening ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 2 at Abraham Lincoln High School, 3201 Ryan Avenue in Philadelphia.
IBC has co-sponsored Senior Games in the region since they began in the early 1980s. Winners from each county in Pennsylvania can compete in the annual state games in York, PA, which will be held this year July 24-29. State winners are eligible to move on to the national Senior Games, which are held every two years. The next national games will be held in Cleveland, Ohio in 2013 and are expected to draw more than 10,000 participants.
The Philadelphia area games feature a wide variety of activities including swimming, running, golf, bowling, tennis, track and field, horseshoes, dance, shuffleboard, chess, scrabble, and more. They are sponsored by the Departments of Recreation and/or Services for the Aging in each county.
"The Senior Games are an exciting, competitive activity for seniors, and great fun for their families, friends, and the entire community," said IBC's Robert Smith, vice president of Sales and Marketing for IBC's Government Markets. "The games are also a positive reminder about the many benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout one's life; staying physically and mentally active, eating wisely, and being socially involved. We're proud to continue to support the games and encourage our members to come out and participate."
"For decades, Independence Blue Cross has been a strong partner with the City for our annual games and we're grateful for their ongoing support," said Lynn Spiro, director of Adult Services for the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation. "Each summer, hundreds of older adults look forward to the friendly competition and camaraderie these games offer. We applaud our athletes on their spirit and determination and wish them a fun and safe event."
For more information for the games, seniors can contact their county Department of Recreation or Department of Aging Services. Registration fees, numbers of participants, and other details will vary from county to county. More information can also be found at Senior Games.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.1 million people. For 74 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit us at ibx.com. Fan us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter@ibx.