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Minnesota Selected to Host 2015 Summer National Senior Games

MINNEAPOLIS, SAINT PAUL and BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) announced today that Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Bloomington, Minn., will host the 2015 Summer National Senior Games - one of the largest recurring multi-sport events in the United States and the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors.

Tentatively scheduled for July 2015, this 16-day event will bring in excess of 13,500 male and female athletes - ages 50 and over - to the metro area to compete in 18-20 different sports within separate age divisions. Sports will be conducted at venues throughout Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Bloomington and the University of Minnesota.

The Senior Games is one of the largest gatherings confirmed for the Twin Cities market in the next five years and is estimated to draw more than 35,000 people to the area during this two-week-plus period in 2015 and the estimated economic impact is $40 million.

"The NSGA is pleased to be bringing our premier event to Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Bloomington, Minnesota," said Phil Godfrey, President and CEO. "We are particularly grateful to the Three Cities team for taking the lead in bidding on this complex event. The venues will be first-class and the tourism options are wonderful."

"Hosting the 2015 Senior Games, the largest Olympic-affiliated event ever to come Minnesota, is a tremendous accomplishment for this community. The $40 million economic impact will certainly leave a mark in the area and we are confident that our community will display its trademark hospitality to the national and international visitors. Through the outstanding efforts of our local Three Cities organizing committee and the University of Minnesota and the corporate and public community support, we will show what Midwest hospitality is all about," says Dave Mona and Susan Adams Loyd, Co-Chairs of the Local Organizing Committee.

While the sports have not yet been assigned to specific venues, the 2015 Games will utilize the Minneapolis Convention Center, University of Minnesota and Saint Paul and Bloomington - parks and recreation facilities, local golf courses and other area facilities.

Competition for the 2015 Games will be held in archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, race walk, racquetball, road race, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track & field, triathlon and volleyball.

To compete in the Summer National Senior Games, athletes must be age 50 or older and must qualify at NSGA member state games. The 2011 Senior Games are scheduled for Houston, TX and the 2013 Senior Games will be in Cleveland, OH.

For more information on the 2015 Summer National Senior Games, please call 216.621.0600. For more information on NSGA visit www.nsga.com .

Three Cities

Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington.

America's 16th largest metropolitan area offers an unmatched meeting location right in the center of North America. Located within a 3 hour flight from any airport in the continental United States, Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Bloomington offers your event the setting you need and a variety of activities to meet your every want. The three cities have more than 16,000 hotel rooms, and three unique personalities. Bloomington is home to America's largest shopping mall, Mall of America. Minneapolis is the upper Midwest's center for arts and culture. Saint Paul offers the feel of a European city. All are located within 15 minutes of Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport.

NSGA

NSGA is a multi-sport organizations council member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and serves as the USOC's official arm to the 50 and over population. The NSGA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for adults 50 and over through education, fitness and sport. Through its programs, the NSGA assists adults in achieving greater value and quality in their lives by staying healthy, active and fit.

NSGA thanks its corporate sponsors Humana, AstraZeneca, Euflexxa and Memorial Hermann. Go to www.nsga.com for more information about NSGA and its programs.

SOURCE National Senior Games Association