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The 2005
Louisiana Senior Olympic State Championship Games in Baton Rouge
are cancelled and will not be rescheduled due to hurricane relief
efforts now in place.
The Louisiana Senior Olympic Games Board of Directors
approved cancellation of the games following a recommendation made
Sept. 7 by the Executive Committee to cancel the games
after hurricane Katrina’s devastation of the Gulf Coast region and
surrounding parishes last week. This is the first time the State
Games have been cancelled. The next State Games for the
Louisiana Senior Olympic Games will be held in 2006.
The Executive Committee evaluated a lengthy list of
issues before recommending the games be cancelled. One of the
major issues influencing the decision included the availability of
facilities. The LSU campus is playing a crucial role by
providing emergency medical services and shelter to hurricane
evacuees. The LSU Carl Maddox Field House is being used as
a special needs shelter. The Pete Maravich Assembly Center
served as a triage unit for medical emergencies. The Bernie
Moore Track is still utilized as a helicopter landing site for
medical emergencies.
Resources of local hotel accommodations and emergency
services are focused on relief efforts. More than 30% of
entrants in the 2005 games live in areas devastated by the
hurricane.
The LSOG Board also approved that 2005 Entry Fees collected will
be applied to the 2006 Entry Fees for those who applied in 2005.
A formal letter with additional information will be mailed this
week to everyone who applied for this year’s games.
We
tried our very best to find alternative venues and schedules to
keep the games alive. We realize the disappointment of not having
our games this year won’t come close to the pain and despair
experienced by victims of the storm. The LSOG Board’s vote
to cancel the games was a difficult decision to make, but it was
the right decision.
We thank everyone for understanding why this decision was made.
Many members of the LSOG asked us what they can do to
assist hurricane relief efforts. We’re investigating several
ideas we might be able to offer as a group to assist hurricane
victims and evacuees. You will be notified of any new
developments as soon as we can provide you details.
Please visit the LSOG web site at
http://www.LSOG.net
for the latest information regarding the Louisiana Senior
Olympic Games. Since many of our members are now scattered
across the state and country, we’d appreciate your help in passing
this message along to any LSOG members you know.
Our thoughts and prayers for a successful recovery go out to
everyone affected by this disaster.
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