I have just participated in the first ever   World Winter Masters Games 2010 Bled her in Slovenia. There were 3000 participants from 43 countries. A great event with people of all ages. I have earlier participated in the summer World Masters Games in my sport rowing. It is always a great pleasure to see so many fit people of all ages and of both sexes compete as best they can. The competition is fierce since all of us want to win. The same was the case when I was participating in the cross-country competitions. Here I am not an expert and I believe I was number 3 from the back, but no matter. These old champion skiers many former Olympic champions were not easy to beat. But I had great fun and I met some fine and interesting people. The cross-country competitions were held in Pokljuka close to Bled and 30 minutes from where I live. It was the most fantastic weather. Sunshine and minus 3 to 5 degrees centigrade. Absolutely a dream. I participated in two races on two different days. One 10 km race in free style (skating technique) and one 5 km race in classic style. With my friend Viktor I was taking a break and a coffee at the restaurant overlooking the biathlon shooting range. 

Across from us sat two gentlemen that also were competing in the races. We asked where they came from. The answer surprised us since the answer was Mexico. So we asked them where they trained and also this answer surprised us, since they have no snow in Mexico. So they flew to Colorado in the US to train - that is dedication! And they were having a great time. I also met the EU ambassador of Macedonia. A fine gentleman and former Irish Ambassador in Slovenia. He was participating in the 60-year class whereas I was participating in the 65 years group. But don’t make a mistake. These guys and girls of any age ski fast as lightening.
I had the pleasure of meeting a great looking little woman with eyes that shone and sparkled. She was 80 and also competed and won all her races. She was from Moscow and I asked her how she keeps so fit, because the night before there was a party and she wasn’t off the dance floor for one single dance. Her explanation was to keep fit by training hard and regularly and by competing and travelling like she does. She just loved to meet new people. She did not have time or an interest in going on pension. She had two radio programs about fitness and taught fitness at the Military Academy and also taught children and handicapped people how to get better lives. What a great great-grandmother to have!!!!
Also it has been proven many times that exercise like jogging, skiing, biking, rowing and all the ball games help keep you fit and at the same time you avoid stress and the illnesses that otherwise could follow.