Olympics4all: Communities for Active Ageing

Maria is 70 years old and lives in a village in Portugal. She has been working for 40 years, and since her husband passed away 5 years ago, she has felt alone and depressed. A friend encouraged her to take part in the Olympics4all programme – an innovative physical activity programme aimed at seniors. Although she was scared because she had never played sport, Maria decided to take a chance. Today she trains twice a week throughout the year in adapted sports and traditional games, and participates in the annual Olympics4all competition. She works out regularly with her new friends, and together they share much more than that. Through competition and the socialisation it generates, Maria feels healthier and younger, and has regained the pleasure of living for the first time in many years.