For love of the game

Sam Morris, Las Vegas Sun

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 | 7:17 a.m.

"So, how you coming along after your meniscus surgery?"

"Pretty good for an old broad, don't ya think?"

Normally not the kind of conversation one would associate with a track and field event, but this happened to be the Nevada Senior Olympics.

One hundred twenty-six participants from Nevada and surrounding states converged on UNLV's track last weekend to participate in the track and field part of the event.

One was 75-year-old Tom Buck of Las Vegas.

"I was in track and field in high school, but then was away from it all my working life," Buck said. When he was 50, he started participating in marathons and triathlons.

"I've stayed active in track and field for the past 25 years," he said.

At an age when many people are content with shuffleboard or bocce (both are Senior Olympics events), Buck has found that keeping physically active is keeping him in good health.

"If you stay active, you will not get wobbly or feeble," he said. "We have a saying that you don't stop playing because you get old ; you get old because you stop playing. And that's the truth."

And play he does. Buck competed in 15 events and won medals in 15 events - 11 golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

"Mostly I entered for the camaraderie," he said. "Even if I didn't medal, I just wanted to get out and participate with everybody."

Buck also has some golden advice for others of all ages.

"Don't stop. Just don't ever quit."