CANTON – For some pickleball fans, the Olympics are just beginning.
The Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball Qualifying Tournament is taking place this week in Canton, with athletes from across the state competing in a four-day tournament.
“Senior Olympics is for all players who will be 50 years old or older at the end of this year,” said Meredith Smith, general chair of Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball.
Smith said the turnout for this year’s competition was impressive and it should be a fun-filled week for guests and players.
“This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to advocate for it to be held in Canton, Ohio, and we’re very excited about it,” she said. “We have almost 500 participants coming to Canton,”
Smith said athletes in this discipline will have the chance to qualify for the 2025 national championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
“We are the only qualifier in the entire state of Ohio, so if you want to qualify in the state of Ohio, come to Canton,” she said.
Tournament play began today, and a “spectacle” is planned for tonight, including a parade of athletes, food trucks, vendors, and live music.
Today’s event, Smith said, also serves to celebrate the induction of Leurene Hildenbrand, a 93-year-old multi-sport athlete, into the Ohio Senior Olympics Hall of Fame.
“She has over 1,000 medals,” she said.
On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will host an “OSOP Celebration of Champions” where Laura Boske and Beth Olivier, two professional pickleball players from the Ohio area, will give speeches. Boske plays for the Houston Hammers and Olivier plays for the Columbus Hotshots.
Smith said everyone is welcome to watch tournament games throughout the week.
“The games start at 8 a.m. every day,” she said, “and we have plenty of seating for spectators, so if anyone is interested in coming and watching, we would love to have them.”
When is the Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball Extravaganza?
The spectacle begins tonight at 6pm and lasts until 10pm. The free event features live music from Karri Fedor & Kerosene.
When is the Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball Celebration of Champions?
The celebration of champions will take place on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, only tournament participants, volunteers, sponsors and their guests are allowed access.
What playing styles are there in the Ohio Senior Olympics Pickleball tournament?
The tournament games consist of men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Where is the Ohio Senior Olympics pickleball tournament?
The tournament will be played at two venues. Most of the matches will be played at Stadium Park in Canton, but the men’s singles today and the women’s singles Thursday will be played at Boettler Park at 5300 Massillon Road in Green. The matches at Stadium Park will be played on the North Courts at 2490 Fulton Road NW.
When is the Ohio Senior Olympics pickleball tournament?
The games started today and will run until Thursday. Play starts at 8am each day, but end times may vary.
