Think of it as the Olympics for weekend warriors. Thousands of athletes over the age of 30 will be vying for gold at the inaugural Americas Masters Games, which will take place in Vancouver this summer.
“We had the Winter Olympics, we had the FIFA World Cup, we had the sevens rugby tournament in the middle of March here in Vancouver and now we get the Masters, the American Masters,” said Chris Cottier, a lifelong rugby player.
Over the course of the nine-day event, amateur athletes over the age of 30 can compete in any of 24 sports.
“They’re gonna get a real feel of what it takes to be in a major sport event, with opening and closing ceremonies, festivities, medals being handed out,” Olympian Charmaine Crooks said.
It’s the first time the Pan-American region has hosted its own competition.