"Competition, they’re both all about competition," said Failor of Muscatine, Iowa. "What else can you get into other than sports and politics."

Failor feels that participating in sports allows him to have the energy it takes to lobby throughout Iowa, Washington, D.C. and other states at his age as president of Iowans for Tax Relief. But wherever he goes, he manages to keep up with his daily workouts.

"I don’t go to hotels without weight equipment," he said. "We’re known for our work ethic in Iowa. I just have to stay active."

The pinnacle of his work in politics came in the 1970s when he worked for President Richard Nixon as an issue strategist at the Social Economic Statistics Administration. But Failor was wary about his job, which started three days after the Watergate scandal began in 1972.

"It was a dynamite time to be working in Washington," said Failor, who played football and basketball for the University of Wyoming in the 1940s. "I’d usually be in the office to two, three in the morning because of all the work we had to do during that time."

While in Washington he still managed to play pick up basketball games with incredible athletes half his age, including Eric Dorsey, who went on to star at defensive end for Notre Dame and played for the Washington Redskins.

After 10 years on Capitol Hill, Failor felt he had enough and moved his family back to Iowa.

He remained active in sports, with basketball remaining his favorite pastime. That is why it was devastating for him to have a metal plate inserted in his right knee after an injury six years ago. Doctors told him that he could not play sports anymore. Failor was determined to prove his doctors wrong.

"I worked my tail off to be able to continue playing sports today," said Failor about his rehabilitation. "I pushed myself to the limit. You have to live on the edge sometimes."

But the metal plate has taken a toll on Failor. The national record holder in his age group in the running long jump in 1999 had to drop out of that and other track events this year.

He still managed to take part in javelin, football and softball distance and accuracy throw and basketball shooting skill events at the Missouri games.

"He did pretty well considering his condition," said 71-year-old J.C. Brown of Liberty, who competed against Failor in the javelin.

"Some people are just natural born athletes," said Failor.