Originally Posted by
Gerryattrick
Can a person in their 80s who is fitter/faster/stronger than most of their peers and still works at it be considered as much of an athlete as someone in their 20s.
I would hope so.
I would say no.
And I conclude that based on my experience playing pick-up football games most of my life. I used to be a speedster and could out-run and out-quick most opponents. I started back into it again as my kids were born and was still sort of quick. But as I progressed into my 50's and 60's --the mind was still trying to juke and out-run opponents, but the body was just not making it. And I was still trim and strong-ish. At 62 I can still ride well enough to impress the younger folks. But football with younger folks is definitely OUT. I'm ineffective and easily beaten --and usually end up with aches and pains that take months/years to recover from.