The two-day World Heart Games began Friday afternoon at Piedmont University’s Loudermilk Baseball Field when the official flag and torch were flown over the field. Participants with risk characteristics or those who had undergone a cardiopulmonary incident crowded the field stadium.
According to Robert Nichols, the event coordinator, several of the attendees traveled from Marietta and represented Wellstar Health System. The medical director of Habersham Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Dr. Stuart Sanders, who chaired the event, encouraged the locals to take part.
We wouldn’t be able to host the World Heart Games without Dr. Sanders, who is an essential component, Nichols stated.
The number of Americans with cardiovascular disease is approximately 122 million. Sanders stated in his introductory remarks that this amounts to 48% of the adult population. We are gathered here to commemorate our well-being and recovery.
Sanders expressed gratitude to Marshall Criser, the president of the university, for granting permission to organize the Games there. “I’m thrilled to be able to bring the event to Piedmont,” Criser said. The university hosted the Games for the last time in 2003.
He told the attendees, “Your participation is extremely meaningful not only to yourselves but, to be honest, to those who are in your lives and those around you in the community.”
The majority of attendees headed to the Mize Athletic Center, where a variety of games were scheduled to take place, following the opening ceremony. Others went to the Heart Games golf tournament at Apple Mountain Golf Course.
The bulk of people were drawn to the athletic center for basketball shooting, cornhole, rowing, and prediction putting. Volunteers and students from Piedmont helped the contestants and kept an eye out for symptoms of exhaustion.
According to Nichols, many of these individuals were athletes in high school or college, and some may not have been at all. We cater to people who need fitness and camaraderie, but there is something here for everyone.
On Saturday, June 20, the WHG will resume at 8 a.m. At the conclusion of Saturday’s activities, Nichols urged onlookers to support the volleyball tournament, pointing out that the Georgia squad is unbeaten.
According to Nichols, spending time with friends and engaging in enjoyable activities is the best way to maintain good health.
The competition will take place in the Mize Athletic Center on the Piedmont University campus in Demorest on Saturday, June 21 at 1 p.m.
