The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi brought athletes in their 30s, 70s, and even 90s to a world stage

At the same time as the 25th Winter Olympics were running in Italy, another event dedicated to athletic accomplishments brought 25,000 competitors to Abu Dhabi.

From Feb. 6-15, the inaugural Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi–a new event backed by the International Masters Games Association and recognized by the International Olympic Committee–handed out dozens of medals across 38 sports.

In front of 500,000+ live attendees at 18 indoor and 20 outdoor venues around Abu Dhabi, the Games rewarded competitors for participation in a wide selection of sports, from swimming, tennis, and volleyball to endurance horse racing, camel racing, sailing, jiu-jitsu, archery, and falconry. Many of the sports–including horse and camel racing, sailing, falconry, and team game Al Tabba–are rooted in Emirati culture.

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But OMGAD’s ultimate goal with this weeklong multi-sport event was to “be a movement, igniting lifelong passion for sports and leaving behind a sustainable legacy of healthier, more connected communities, improved sporting infrastructure, and a reinforced global reputation for Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for multi-sport events,” organizers said.

Messaging during the event encouraged physical activity among older adults, and also called for intergenerational bonding–a key takeaway, considering most Games participants ranged in age from 30s to 70s, with a few even older. One Mongolian competitor, Radnaa Tseren, is 91, and stole the 200-meter race with a winning time of 39.64 seconds.

The Games themselves also encouraged participation from anyone who wanted to join: Registration was specifically open to “athletes of all skill levels and backgrounds, without qualification barriers.”

With this open gate, organizers wanted to “inspire community programmes and long-term participation in sport” that would continue after the Games’ conclusion, they said.

They also hoped to drive tourism, as around 40% of OMGAD athletes are international, and cement Abu Dhabi as “a premier destination for multi-sport events.” That seemed to pay off: Delegates from around the world attended OMGAD–including a contingent from Japan, which will host the next World Masters Games in 2027.

And, of course, content creators were involved. The United Arab Emirates has been pushing for more creators to live and work within its borders, and for OMGAD, Tubefilter ran a creator program bringing Stephanie Pena, Dalton Chandler, Jenna Sinatra, Peter Hollens, and Evynne Hollens to see the event live in person.

Which creators might attend future Games? That remains to be seen…But we do know the next Open Masters Games will take place Sept. 17-26, 2027, at Como Lake in Italy.

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