The Jewish Community Center will once again sponsor the St. Louis Senior Olympics where hundreds of athletes aged 50 and up will compete, May 23-26.

This is the 29th annual games and will feature 85 events ranging from badminton and golf to cycling and tennis.

Senior Olympics director Nicole Liebman said that the competitions are expected to be assisted by approximately 400 volunteers. She said organizers have set a goal of 1,350 athletes for this year. More than 1,100 competed last year. A final count is expected this week.

“I’d like to see it increase every year,” she said. “This year especially, as we are just one year away from celebrating our 30th anniversary.”

While many of the competitions will take place at the JCC, Liebman said that other locations will play a big role as well. Overall, 14 different venues will host the games.

“It really is showcasing some of St. Louis’s best venues. We’ve got three golf tournaments at Creve Coeur, Forest Park and St. Peters,” she said. “We’ll be using Blueberry Hill in the Loop and we’ve moved our track event to John Burroughs School. They have a phenomenal facility that we’ll be able to use.”

New sports include a seven-on-seven soccer tournament, a water volleyball tournament and a nine-hole golf tournament.

“I would just encourage everyone who’s interested, who hasn’t seen the games to come out to the swimming events, the track and field events to really take a look at athletes out there competing to achieve a personal best, Liebman said. “Some of these are really phenomenal athletes.”

Sponsors for this year’s games are Charter Communications, the JCC, Essence, Anthem, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Creve Coeur Racquet Club, the St. Louis Lions, Bergman-Schraier & Co., P.C. and the St. Louis Rams.

Amy and Steve Gallant are co-chairing the games.

For more information, call 314-432-5705.