10/21/2026
Two athletes. One shared love of sports. One goal: Tulsa 2027!
For Darlene Beale-Thomas, the Senior Games are a chance to compete, reconnect with former teammates and enjoy the special camaraderie of sports. An All-American and Hall of Fame basketball player, Darlene has competed all over the country (and the world), but says the Senior Games hold a special place in her heart.
After years of watching Darlene compete, her husband, Calvert Thomas, decided it was his time to join! Competing in Basketball at the Georgia Golden Olympics was a new challenge for the former college football player — and a rewarding one. Calvert’s team took home gold and qualified for his first National Senior Games. “It was a blast, I had a lot of fun. And it goes to show you, you’re never too old to keep competing,” he shares.
Darlene also stepped outside her comfort zone this year, trying Shot Put for the first time in addition to Basketball. Her training paid off, and she secured a gold medal and a qualifying spot for her fourth trip to Nationals!
Congratulations to Calvert, Darlene and ALL the Senior Games athletes who have taken the first steps on the ! We can’t wait to see you all next summer at the 2027 National Senior Games presented by Humana!