Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - In celebration of World Elderly Day, which falls on August 28, the Government of Puerto Vallarta, through the System for Integral Family Development (DIF) chaired by Magaly Fregoso Ortiz, paid tribute to the elderly people of this county by hosting a week full of sports and cultural activities in our city.

The festivities began on Tuesday with the opening ceremony and lighting of the Olympic flame in the forecourt of the Agustín Flores Contreras Sports Complex. There 82 seniors enrolled in the competitive fields of walking and running for 100, 200 and 400 meters on the stadium's track. At the end of the day, 42 gold medals, 37 silver medals and 30 bronze medals were awarded.

Older adults, concerned about the people that are unable to leave their homes due to some sort of illness or disability, made home visits (house calls), including a visit to "los abuelitos" at the Asilo de Ancianos nursing home located in Colonia Coapinole.

On Wednesday cultural activities were held in the Centro Universitario de la Costa's Juan Luis Cifuentes Lemus auditorium, where 98 seniors demonstrated their enthusiasm through regional dance and singing competitions. Municipal authorities took this opportunity to recognize teacher Maria de los Angeles Benavides, who won second place in the 2013 Distinguished Adult contest.

The next day, DIF President Magaly Fregoso Ortiz led members of Puerto Vallarta's 30 Senior Citizens' clubs in a March for Elderly Rights along the Malecón. They then gathered at the Aquiles Serdan outdoor theater, better known as Los Arcos del Malecón, where Fregoso Ortiz congratulated the seniors for sharing their experiences and participating in the week's mind and body strengthening activities. The event, which began at 10:00 am on Thursday, was graced by the good humor of the participants, whose high spirits never dimmed despite the warm weather.

And to close the sports and cultural week with a flourish, city officials, headed by Magaly Fregoso Ortiz and Ramon Guerrero Martinez, organized a big "Cana al Aire" (Cane in the Air) party for about a thousand seniors at the Real del Oro Salon in El Pitillal.

At the end of Senior Citizens' Sports and Cultural Week, the Vallarta authorities reiterated their commitment to promoting programs aimed at this valuable sector of our community.