Fairfax County is sending the largest group of competitors to the 44th annual Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO), which set a participation record this year with 1,356 athletes aged 50 and older. Events are spread across 34 venues, including the Oakmont Golf Center in Oakton.
The record total was first reported by FFXnow. The figure is up from about 1,200 competitors in 2025, according to ALXnow. Competitors this year range in age from 50 to 101, according to organizers.
The 22-day competition features 96 events and runs through Sunday, Oct. 4. Arlington County sent the second-largest group behind Fairfax.
Several Fairfax County venues are hosting events. The Audrey Moore RECenter in Annandale, the Oakmont Golf Center in Oakton and Gunston Hall in Lorton are all on the schedule. Darts and horseshoes are being held at the Arlington-Fairfax Elks Lodge at 8421 Arlington Blvd. in Fairfax, according to the NVSO website.
New events for 2026 include darts and rock-climbing. Weightlifting returned for the first time since 2022.
At a welcoming ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Arlington, NVSO board member Don Tillson carried the Olympic torch into the venue. The Alexandria City High School Junior ROTC Color Guard and the Arlingtones Barbershop Quartet also took part.
Jane Rudolph, director of the Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation, addressed the crowd.
"There are people who have been participating here for 30-plus years," Rudolph said.
Mike Coleman, chair of the NVSO organizing committee, praised the hundreds of volunteers who help stage the competition. Coleman said the committee works year-round and compared the organizing effort to sausage-making, adding that the result is often excellent.
The competition drew participants from eight jurisdictions: Arlington and Fairfax counties, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties, and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church.
Heavy rain forced organizers to postpone the disc golf event scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22, according to the NVSO website.
Upcoming NVSO schedule
- Competition continues through Sunday, Oct. 4, at venues across Northern Virginia.
- Full event schedule and locations are available at nvso.us.
