SENIOR OLYMPIAN

A 94-year-old man takes a running leap into a sand pit at a playground in Marina Del Rey. He lets loose a war cry and is momentarily airborne, snowy hair flying, sinewy arms reaching for another inch. Seeing the old man fall in the sand, mothers nearby stop pushing their strollers, ready to dial 911. They have no idea that this is athlete Julian Myers being photographed for ESPN as he trains for the Huntsman World Senior Games. The long jump is just one of 14 track and field events he’ll be competing in, looking to add to the 46 career medals he’s already won.

The senior moments in this series are not fails. They are FU’s to father time. There’s 93-year-old swimmer Hoi Pang who takes the bus to his local pool for 6 am workouts 5 days a week. “My doctors told me seven days was too much. I think they just don’t want me to win all the medals.” 92-year-old Mickey Pitti’s passion is volleyball. The oldest member of the Hemet, CA “Hot Flashes” has no time for defense. “I like to score.” These older jocks share a lifelong passion for competition and an age defying resilience. “No one’s telling us to die,” says Julian Myers. “I love being alive. There’s no reason for me to stop.”