Hauling home six medals from any athletic competition is noteworthy. Accomplishing that at 89 years of age while setting a record in one of those events is nothing short of astounding.
Myrtle Acton did that in six throwing events at the 55+ BC Games, which took place from Sept. 13 to 17 in Victoria, while also setting a new Canadian record in masterB次元官网网址檚 womenB次元官网网址檚 shot put for her age category.
Acton has lived in various locations throughout the Lower Mainland, settling in Sooke in 2014.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always been a bit of gypsy,B次元官网网址� she said.
SheB次元官网网址檚 no stranger to the podium or winnerB次元官网网址檚 circle, however, setting records at the 55+ BC Games in 2015 and winning gold medals in the hammer throw, weight throw, and shot put at the games in 2019.
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Her continued success earned Acton a place in the BC Amateur Athletics AssociationB次元官网网址檚 Hall of Fame and the Canadian MastersB次元官网网址� Hall of Fame in 2021.
B次元官网网址淚 was pleased and surprised by the nominations,B次元官网网址� said Acton, who will celebrate her 90th birthday on Oct. 9. B次元官网网址淲inning the national award is a step up from the provincial level. That truly humbled me.B次元官网网址�
Although Acton competed in the discus and javelin in high school, she only returned to competing in 1994, the year the 55+ BC Games were launched.
B次元官网网址淏ack in my day, there werenB次元官网网址檛 that many opportunities to compete after high school, and life gets in the way,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 think about it until I heard about the 55+ BC Games. IB次元官网网址檝e been to everyoneexcept for two and the ones we missed because of COVID. ThereB次元官网网址檚 an incredible amount of opportunities to compete that you can do throughout the year in different locations.
B次元官网网址淜eeping active with any form of exercise, even walking, keeps us out of senior homes and hospitals,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淭he 55+ BC Games has been extremely successful at that. There are 26 events you can compete in, including walking. IB次元官网网址檝e always said itB次元官网网址檚 too bad that the games are the best-kept secret for many OT of people. Even some of the volunteers I talked to this year hadnB次元官网网址檛 heard of them. I think theyB次元官网网址檙e wonderful because it gives you something to work toward, and youB次元官网网址檙e with like-minded people.B次元官网网址�
Another part of the attraction of the games is seeing friends and meeting new people, Acton said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e all very competitive, but weB次元官网网址檙e extremely supportive of each other, and thatB次元官网网址檚 a special feeling we share.B次元官网网址�
Members of the Sooke Horseshoe Pitching Association earned a boatload of medals at the 55+ BC Games as well.
Marlene Hargreaves garnered gold in the womenB次元官网网址檚 C and mixed doubles B. Elaine McMath won gold in the womenB次元官网网址檚 A and mixed doubles. Steve Bishop earned a silver in MenB次元官网网址檚 A. Bronze medal winners include Linda Anderson in womenB次元官网网址檚 B, Ron Dumont in menB次元官网网址檚 B, Gail Bishop in womenB次元官网网址檚 C, and Ken Bradley in mixed doubles A.
Venues for the games across the Capital Regional District hosted 22 activities and sports, including soccer, snooker, dragon boats, lawn and carpet bowling, archery, softball, cycling, and track and field.
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