Veterans Athletics

Nine San Fernando Valley veterans have brought home medals from the Veterans Golden Age Games in a competition that included more than 400 athletes from across the country. Held this year at Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital in Lisle, Ill., the six-day event, which ended Saturday, included more than a dozen events for military veterans age 55 and older who receive care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In their physical prime they may not be, but these athletes are never out of training. Day in and day out, the year round, they come to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Sepulveda to work out. They run the 50-yard dash, throw the discus and--not everybody can be Hercules--play checkers and croquet. Officially, they're outpatients in the VA's rehabilitation therapy and wellness programs. In their hearts, they're going for the gold.

In their physical prime they may not be, but these athletes are never out of training. Day in and day out, the year round, they come to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Sepulveda to work out. They run the 50-yard dash, throw the discus and--not everybody can be Hercules--play checkers and croquet. Officially, they're outpatients in the VA's rehabilitation therapy and wellness programs. In their hearts, they're going for the gold.

Nine San Fernando Valley veterans have brought home medals from the Veterans Golden Age Games in a competition that included more than 400 athletes from across the country. Held this year at Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Administration Hospital in Lisle, Ill., the six-day event, which ended Saturday, included more than a dozen events for military veterans age 55 and older who receive care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dennis Mitchell, the U.S. 100-meter champion, was suspended for two years Tuesday for failing a drug test 16 months ago but will be eligible for the 2000 Olympics. Track and field's governing body said in Monte Carlo, Monaco, that his test showed high levels of testosterone. But Mitchell's attorney said the sprinter has never taken testosterone or any other banned substance.