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96-year-old wins medal at 32nd Annual Detroit Senior Olympics

Posted at 4:50 PM, Jun 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-15 16:50:37-04

The 32nd annual Detroit Senior Olympics kicked off Wednesday. 

Folks, 50 years and older, participated in various events like dancing, tennis and basketball.

"Something to do to keep from sitting home, watching TV or doing nothing, said Houston Pritchett, the oldest participant at 96-years-old. He is the only competitor in his age group.

"All I got to do is start off and make it back to the finish line. Because nobody in my class but me. I get the gold medal every year."

Houston has lived a full life. He was in the Army during War World Two, he worked for Ford retiring 42 years ago and he has survived cancer.

And don't be fooled by his cane. "As far as walking with a cane? I don't need that."

Houston has been competing in the Detroit Senior Olympics since 2002.

"And I'm having a good time." He has seven children, one of them also participating in the mile walk.

He hopes others will be inspired by his attitude.

"The best thing to do is to stay active, don't sit at home watching that television, laying up on that couch. Get up and do something, keep moving!"

When he's not walking, Houston is dancing. He takes dance classes six days a week.