Dozens of volunteers, competitors and Jewish Community Center supporters gathered May 18 at the Marilyn Fox Building for the opening ceremonies of the Legends Games.
Formerly known as the St. Louis Senior Olympics, the sporting competition for athletes age 50 and older, founded in 1980, runs through June 7.
Former St. Louis Football Cardinals tight end Jackie Smith kicked off the proceedings by singing the national anthem. Steve Rosenzweig, J president and CEO, told the audience the competitors themselves remain the heart of the event.
“To all of our athletes, you are the heart of these games,” Rosenzweig said. “Your energy and enthusiasm inspire all of us. We are proud to celebrate you today. Thank you for being here, being part of the J community, and thank you for showing us all what it means to live fully.”
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Carrying The Torch
Introducing the ceremonial torch lighting and passing was KMOV-TV sports reporter Tamar Sher, who dedicated the torch pass to the memory of Harvey Brown.
“Harvey was one of the key founders of the St. Louis Senior Olympics and a passionate believer in the power of community,” Sher said. “Harvey will be remembered for the way he treated people with positivity, with kindness, with warmth, and genuine care. He was the definition of a servant leader and truly a legend in his own right.”
Sher compared Brown’s legacy to the ner tamid, the eternal light in Jewish tradition.
“In Jewish tradition, the ner tamid, the eternal light, symbolizes a presence that continues to shine from generation to generation,” she said. “Harvey was that kind of light for our entire community.”
Sher then introduced Legends Games co-chairs Lisa and Roy Kramer, thanking them for their support of the games.
The Kramers, members of Congregation B’nai Amoona, serve as both volunteers and competitors. Roy Kramer, 65, will compete in push-ups, weight-lifting and planks.
“We’ve been training,” he said. “I really like the camaraderie and everyone encouraging you to do your best. It’s a good feeling.”
A J Connection Decades Long
Another husband-and-wife volunteer team greeted athletes and checked in competitors upstairs at the Fox Building.
Diane and Laurie Lieberman met on the volleyball court at the J 60 years ago. The couple, members of United Hebrew Congregation, have volunteered for the Legends Games for the past decade.
“Everybody is wonderful to work with,” Diane Lieberman said. “That’s what we like about it. The volunteers are all nice and the participants are great. All the athletes are wonderful.”
The stories surrounding the event often stretch far beyond athletics themselves. For many participants and volunteers, the games have become part reunion, part community tradition and part celebration of staying active later in life.
Still Dancing
Prior to the torch lighting, the annual dance exhibition took place under the direction of veteran volunteer Marcene Tochman.
Tochman, 89, launched the tap dance program for the Senior Olympics in 1998 and has directed it ever since.
A 2012 recipient of the Doc Eberhard Award for volunteerism, Tochman received a bouquet of flowers from fellow dancers following this year’s exhibition.
She said dance continues to keep her energized.
“Dance is exercise and a sport,” said Tochman, a member of United Hebrew Congregation. “I believe that it offers us an opportunity to stay young. It’s aerobic and we still get great physical strength from it. It’s good for our heart.”
The full schedule of events for the 2026 Legends Games is available through the J.
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