Cabarrus County’s Florence “Flo” Kendall, is an Olympian at 83

By FRAN FARRER

CONCORD, NC - April 24, 2018, the Cabarrus Senior Games presented an Evening of the Performing Arts, Cheerleader Showcase and Silver Arts Follies at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord.

One performance during the event stood out, and was entitled “My Olympian Journey,” by Florence “Flo” DeBose Kendall (“A Story in You).” She depicts her love of sports activities since the age of 14. Now 83 years young, she re-enacts with senior friends how she perfected her skills of playing tennis, shooting pool, table tennis, swimming, basketball, throwing horse shoes, and shuffle board at her favorite hangout then, and still is today; the Logan Gym.

Kendall played tennis, varsity basketball and was the first girl to learn to swim in the community swimming pool. At age of 19, she carried those skills to Portsmouth, Virginia where she joined a women’s traveling basketball team that reigned undefeated for many years.

Once connecting with the Portsmouth Department of Parks and Recreation she was able to share and demonstrate not only her love for athletics, but proves her skills as a coach and coach player. She retired from The City of Portsmouth Department of Parks and Recreation in 2008.

After retiring she returned to Concord and connected with Cabarrus County Parks and Recreation and became a regular member and attendant at the Logan Lunch Plus and Senior Center. It was there she became active in the Senior Games, planning and developing special programs.

Kendall has won a total of 140 medals in 6 years competing on local and state levels. She qualified and competed in the June 2017 National Senior Games in Birmingham, AL. and won 4th place in the Nation in her event. She loved the experience and will never forget seeing all the states and countries represented.

She was most impressed to see a 103 year old gentleman win 3 medals and a female basketball team made up of players that were 85 years old and older.

Kendall’s future plans include participating in the 2018 NC Senior Game competitions in Raleigh NC in September, and are seeking to qualify and compete in the next National Senior Games to be held in Albuquerque, NM in 2019.” The National Senior Olympic Games are held every 2 years.

Her mission is to continue to promote Senior Games through health and fitness, and challenges all adults 50 years of age and older to take part in these events as well. She is recruiting individuals to join in on the fun, fitness and fellowship with family and friends.

Senior Games is a holistic approach to keeping the body, mind and spirit fit while enjoying the company of friends, family, spectators and volunteers. The NC Senior Games began in 1983 with a vision to create a year-round health promotion and wellness education.

Pictured is Florence “Flo” DeBose Kendall wearing her medals and awards from the 2017 National Senior Games in Birmingham, Ala.

Pictured L-R demonstrating her Olympian Journey is: Thelma Moten, Ola Anderson, Vernie King, April Conner, Betty Reid, Margaret Redfern, Gussie Ford, Flo Kendall, and Alice Springs. Not pictured was participant Elizabeth Miller.