NRPA Research, August 2004 Seniors Set Sights On Staying Competitive By Ted Tedrick Recreation and park professionals, in contrast with a general public that is less knowledgeable, are coming to grips with a trend that is accelerating—older athletes who seek competitive challenges on the courts and fields in our communities. The demographic facts of our aging population are known; the aging of the baby boom cohort will double the older population to 70 million by 2030 (Older Americans 2000). As society is becoming racially and ethnically diverse, so too will the older population, with non-whites representing 36 percent of those 65 and older by 2050. Women continue to outlive men (constituting 60 percent of the senior population) and the 85-plus group is the fastest growing segment, due to reach 5 percent of total population by 2050 (Older Americans 2000).