For Ulka Sasapan of Woodstock, the Cherokee County Senior Olympics is a chance to show off his athletic abilities.

Sasapan, who has competed in the games for the past three years, won eight gold medals last year and is hoping to break his records in the fourth annual Senior Olympic games.

The games kicked off Friday with an opening ceremony in Woodstock City Park.

The games will officially begin at 9 a.m. April 8 with a golf tournament at Bradshaw Farms. Pickle ball will be played at 9 a.m. April 9 at the Cherokee Tennis Center and a one-mile walk will be conducted at 8 a.m. April 10 at Boling Park in Canton.

The Long Senior Center in Woodstock will host a Wii bowling competition at 6 p.m. April 12 and an 8 a.m. billiards match on April 13. Washers will be conducted at 2 p.m. at Habersham Bank in Canton.

The finalist round for billiards will be conducted at 8 a.m. April 15 at the Long Senior Center and the bocce ball competition will be conducted at 10 a.m. April 16 at Soleil Laurel Canyon.

The basketball free throw will begin at 6 p.m. April 19 at the Boys & Girls Club in Canton.

The horseshoes competition will be conducted at 2 p.m. April 20 at Habersham Bank and the bowling competition will begin at 1:30 p.m. April 21 at Cherokee Lanes.

Swimming will be conducted at 10 a.m. April 22 at Gold's Gym in Woodstock. The closing ceremony for the Olympic games will be held at 10 a.m. April 23 at the Boys and Girls Club.

The Senior Olympics offers sporting events for adults 50 and older and has categories broken down by age for the competition: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84 and 85 and older. Participants competing in billiards and golf will not be grouped into age categories.

Participants play for gold, silver and bronze medals.

Allison Chandler, chairwoman of the Cherokee County Senior Olympics 2010 Committee, said the organization had to scrap plans for a softball tournament because only three teams signed up.

About 100 seniors have signed up, Ms. Chandler said, which was the same as last year.

She also said the games have become popular because of word of mouth.

"It's a lot of fun," she said. "Being a senior doesn't mean you have to (act) old. You are as young as you feel."

Betty Rice, Long Senior Center coordinator, said the selection of activities is based on what the seniors citizens who come through her doors are talking about and what they are doing in their spare time.

Along with increased physical activity, the games offer seniors a chance to socialize and meet new friends, Ms. Rice said.

Sasapan echoed Ms. Rice's statement. He and his wife, Jovita, are excited to participate this year and encouraged other seniors to join the games.

"You can ... socialize and get physical fitness," he said.

It's the first year Judy Crul of Canton will participate in the games. Her husband, Jerry, and she will participate in bowling, the basketball free throw and golf.

After being unable to move around much because of a disability, Mrs. Crul said she is looking forwards to the games.

"I'm looking forward to meeting other seniors and to having a lot of fun," she said.