Edlins Win Gold at Tennessee Senior Olympics

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (June 19–22) — Building on their 2025 national appearance, Chris and Charleace Edlin continued their athletic success at the 2026 Tennessee Senior Olympics this June, collectively earning seven gold medals.

Over the weekend of June 19–22, the couple traveled to Williamson County where they would compete against hundreds of fellow senior athletes. Their competitions took place at Franklin and Fairview high schools.

Chris, 64, won gold in the Power Walk, Softball Distance Throw, Basketball Free Throw Competition and Powerlifting. He won silver in the 800-meter run. He was scheduled to take part in five additional events, but a hamstring injury prevented him from competing.

Charleace, 71, won gold in the Javelin Throw, the Discus Throw and Powerlifting. She won silver in the Shot Put contest and bronze in the Softball Throw.

The couple plans to compete in their second-ever National Senior Olympics in 2027. There, Chris plans to compete in the Power Walk, Basketball Free Throw Competition and Powerlifting. Charleace plans to compete in Powerlifting and, possibly, the Power Walk.

Chris won silver in the Power Walk during last year’s national competition.

But the Senior Olympics are about more than just the medals and the accolades for the Edlins. For Chris, it’s about setting and achieving personal goals. For Charleace, it’s about the community.

“Physical exercise is so good for you,” Chris said, “and the Senior Olympics gives you something to work towards and plan for. It’s a good motivator… I’m a goal-oriented person. I love to set goals and work for them.”

Still, Chris did admit to being competitive at event time.

“It’s not like any competition you ever see,” Charleace said of the Senior Olympics. “Everybody’s rooting for each other. Even if you are competing against each other, you’re still rooting for each other. That’s what I love, that connection you make with everyone.”

Charleace spoke of the many people she has met since joining the Senior Olympics community, many of whom compete while facing unimaginable adversities. She spoke of one 90-year-old woman who, despite a 25-year battle with multiple sclerosis, competes in running events year after year.

Chris joined the Senior Olympics scene in 2012 at the encouragement of David Duncan. In his first competition, he recalled being surprised at how many great senior athletes there were in Tennessee. Since then, he has competed in 13 district and state competitions.

“There are people who have been elite athletes all their lives,” he said, “and they’re still doing it at a level like a college kid could.”

Charleace joined in 2023 and has since competed in three district and state competitions. She has won every state competition she has participated in, according to Chris.

“It’s a package deal with us,” Chris said. “It’s just not about me anymore. I’m as concerned about her doing it as I am… I love to have her with me as we’re training.”

Two other McKenzians competed in the Tennessee Senior Olympics this year. Tommy Putman, 85, finished silver in Golf with a score of 93. David Wood, in his second year competing, finished fourth in the 400-meter and 1500-meter runs in the 70-74 age division. Wood also competed in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 50-meter and 800-meter runs.