Some people (invariably young people) think senior citizens spend their retirement playing cards, taking slow walks, and, perhaps—for a break from routine—visiting their medical professionals.  But as we age, we realize that media portrayals from years gone by—or even how we used to think of older people when we ourselves were younger—hardly reflect our current realities—especially if we’re athletes.

Take Arthur Puckrin. Born in Great Britain in 1938 (before you start calculating, he’s almost 71), this senior swimmer trains harder than many Olympic athletes. He’s in the pool 7 days a week for hours at time. He competes internationally, with times that rival college-age athletes.

Margaret and John Canby of San Antonio, Texas are very good tennis players. They are also in their 80s. They credit their winning records to healthy eating, getting enough rest, and cross-training. The couple plays doubles and singles tennis, and they regularly beat players who are decades younger. The Tatum brothers, John and Brad, still compete in swimming events at 89 and 87, respectively.

At 94, Lucille Borgen became the oldest competitor ever in the U.S. National Water Skiing Championships, the world's largest water ski tournament. Last, but certainly not least, consider Estelle Frendberg. This 96-year-old from Arizona is the oldest competitor in the National Senior Games. Her event is the 1,500-meter race-walk, and she’s also prominent in the Masters Track and Field rankings.

Senior athletes come in many varieties: they vary by sport, age, and level of competitiveness. But like all other athletes, they love their chosen sport and derive great satisfaction from participation—if not winning.  George Bernard Shaw said, famously, “youth is wasted on the young.”  But older athletes extend the vigor and strength of youth, and combine it with a life-time’s experience and discipline. Shaw also said “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Here’s to all those who keep on playing!