A nonagenarian to compete at B.C. Senior Games

The 2012 B.C. Senior Games got underway today, and are featuring an athlete so remarkable, she’s been studied by doctors.

Olga Kotelko holds no fewer than 27 world records in her “nonagenarian” age category in track-and-field. At 93, she’ll be competing in 11 events.

Doctors in Montreal have studied Olga’s physiology, and found that her muscle fibers are remarkably lacking in the normal decline that would be expected of anyone over 65.

She credits her strength to having a positive attitude.

Three days a week, you’ll find her in West Vancouver, practicing a number of track-and-field disciplines.

“After close to two hours of doing things, I slow down. And I think to myself, that is enough, two hours is pretty good.”

She says she does not do any pole vaulting or hurdles, but still does the sprints, jumps and throws.

Olga grew up in Saskatchewan, eventually moving to B.C., where she raised two daughters on her own.

She taught for 30 years, retiring at 65. But it wasn’t until the age of 77 that she turned to athletics.

“It is my passion. This is what I do,” says Kotelko.

The medical community is in awe.

“They put me through all kinds of exercises and tests,” says Kotelko. “And actually took a sample of my muscle, and then came back and said I’ve got the healthiest muscle that they’ve ever seen.”

Over her athletic career, Olga has won over 650 gold medals, and this week she’s hoping to add a few more to her collection when she competes at the 2012 B.C. Senior Games in Burnaby.

For her, age is truly just a number.

“Just do it for yourself. Just keep at it. And you will soon enjoy it, and you will say to yourself, why did not I do this earlier?”