55 PLUS WINTER GAMES KICK OFF

Two athletic celebrations dovetailed Wednesday night as a cauldron-lighting ceremony was held at Canada Olympic Park.

Dozens watched from below while six skiers zigzagged down the slope with lit torches in hand. At the bottom of the hill, the torches were passed to Olympic dignitaries Frank King and Bob Niven, who proceeded to set the bowl ablaze.

It marked 25 years to the day since the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics became a reality, with much help from King and Niven.

Wednesday’s ceremony also kick-started the Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games, of which the two men have been named honorary chairmen.

“This is a day to celebrate,” said King, as he waved to a pack of youngsters flanking ’88 Olympic mascots Hidy and Howdy. “That’s what we’re doing.”

King said he felt floored by the energy of two major sporting events being blended together.

“It’s so typical of Calgary,” he said. “You take something that’s good and bring something else together with it and it’s more than twice as good.

“This thing is just going to keep rolling like a stone down the hill.”

More than 1,100 athletes from all parts of the province have converged on Calgary to take part in the 55 Plus games. Thirteen events are planned over the next three days.

Many of those events will be held at legacy Olympic facilities, including curling, hockey and skiing. Competitors will also square off in warmer confines over bridge, darts, euchre, Scrabble and shuffleboard.

It’s the third 55 Plus winter games and the first time the biennial competition has been held in a large city. The matching summer games, however, have spanned more than two decades.

Kelly Blackshaw, chair of the 55 Plus games, was beaming as she watched the glowing cauldron.

Many competitors, Blackshaw noted, were involved with the ’88 Olympic Games that are largely credited for putting Calgary on the map.

“This is just re-energizing them again,” she said. “It’s lighting their spirits to get back into the movement.

“It’s just amazing we can put the two together at this time.”

Ted Rhodes/calgary Herald Bob Niven, one of the honorary chairmen of the 55 Plus winter games, fires up the cauldron during the opening on Wednesday at Canada Olympic Park.