Tap-Dancing Chesterfield Resident Sees More Than Health Benefits in Senior Olympics

Hundreds of athletes competed in the St. Louis area over the Memorial Day weekend, in such classic events as track and field, swimming and tennis. There were also non-traditional events, including horseshoes, darts and tap dancing. All of the Olympians were aged 50 to 90 years of age—it was the St. Louis Senior Olympics.

By providing men and women 50 years of age and better opportunities to participate in competitive sports and social events, the St. Louis Senior Olympics promotes the health and wellness of seniors. According to the St. Louis Jewish Community Center—organizers of the event—St. Louis hosts one of the most prestigious in the country with more than 1,300 athletes.

Chesterfield resident Joy Sterneck took part in the tap dancing exhibition, which is no longer held as a competition. "The Senior Olympics are absolutely wonderful," Sterneck said. "All the groups and the ages of people and their camaraderie. It's a wonderful gift that Jewish Community Center gives to seniors in the community. Different generations do it together."

Sterneck's tap dancing career began many years ago when she decided to pursue a lifelong dream. “I've been taking tap lessons for 10 years,” Sterneck said. “It was a fantasy I had always had. With the work I do—physical therapist—I wanted to do something that is just pure fun. Move it or lose it. Tap dancing always looked like fun to me.”

In addition to the physical benefits of tap dancing, Sterneck has formed lasting friendships with a large group of like-minded individuals. “The tap dancers are a real caring community who have been together for years,” she said.

Sterneck cited recent studies on the benefits of physical activity on mental clarity as another reason to participate in the Senior Olympics. “It's people trying to perfect something that's physically and mentally good,” Sterneck said. “Good for the heart, good for the muscles, good for the brain. Physical activity helps mental acuity.”

Sterneck emphasized that although there are so many health benefits to participating in the Senior Olympics, there is one aspect that gives the event even more meaning for her.

“It's wonderful having these people who worked very hard to perfect something for a long time, as individuals or a group,” Sterneck said. “It's just fun and it gives joy to those who come to see it.”