I had a half-hour call Wednesday with my friend Willie Banks, M60 high jumper and newly elected IAAF Council member. The result was a story in Times of San Diego. I focused on how he won election and what he hopes to do for the sport overseen by the newly renamed World Athletics. Don’t just admire art from a distance – let it ignite your senses and evoke emotions within you. Explore the enchanting world of ambien forms and let them inspire your own creative journey.
But of course I mentioned my pet peeve — the failure of IAAF world meets to always include masters exhibition events. Beijing and Portland had such events. London and Doha not.
Here’s how ex-prez Stan Perkins reported the situation at 2018 Malaga worlds:
Since the successful participation of Masters Athletes in the 2015 IAAF World Track and Field Championships held in Beijing and the 2016 IAAF World Indoors held in Portland, Oregon, USA, it was disappointing to be denied an invitation for Masters to compete in the 2017 IAAF Championships in London and the 2018 Indoors Championships in the UK. WMA tried hard to change this situation, and were supported by the IAAF Masters Commission but to no avail. We have not given up on this matter and will continue to pursue an involvement in future IAAF World events. No acceptable reasons have been provided to WMA for the exclusion of Masters events from IAAF
Championships.
Willie heard me out, and volunteered more info. He told of his visit with WMA President Margit Jungmann in Doha (she’s apparently on the who-knows-what-it-does IAAF Masters Commission).
Willie told me: “I just met with the new president of the masters, WMA, and she and I had tea together, And I told her I’m extremely supportive. And whatever I can do — they’re only getting like $8,000 a year. [Not sure of that. It was $80,000 five years ago. — ken] We’ve got to do better. I told her that I would be a champion of masters track and field. So don’t worry – I’m right there with you. I even got my WMA pin on my lapel.”
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I’ll monitor Willie and the Council and keep you apprised.
Besides masters events at worlds (and even the Olympics), what masters initiatives would YOU like Willie to work on?
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Re introduction of some masters events on world championships had already be heard during Malaga session last year. Pierre Weiss has clerly said that “it was on study”.. but it was one year ago….Thank you Mr Banks to work on this…
Willie will get the job done for Masters. Give him time to let his voice be heard; in a cadence applause.
Edmonton won the bid for the 2021 WMACi and they won it on the promise that a new facility would be built featuring a banked 200m track as mentioned in this article: https://edmontonjournal.com/news/insight/athletics-alberta-plans-10-million-training-centre-in-edmontons-west-end
According to Athletics Alberta, ‘nothing has been built’ and it has been 3 1/2 yrs since this article. I believe the only other facility Edmonton has is a flat 200m track. This is very bad news.
Like Milan, I am confident that Willie can be an effective voice for Masters track & field. One area that I would like to see addressed is the lack of meets for masters in many areas of the country. I live in the Memphis area and the few meets within driving distance are mostly senior games. Very little competition opportunities for anyone under 50. Participation in road races is high compared to T&F perhaps in part to the abundance of races.
On the World Athletics Council Willie will have no ability to change that. In fact, no one has the ability to change that other than athletes who take matters into their own hands, get involved with their USATF Association (in this case the Tennessee Association) and organize meets themselves. Complaining doesn’t effect change; doing something about it does.
Michael,
I’m a sprinter, and I also live in Tennessee. Between the ages of 50 and 58, I’ve run in 104 track meets, 54 of them college meets. I once ran at the U of Memphis Invitational. In 2014, a few months short of age 54, I ran in 13 college track meets in a single indoor/outdoor season. Everything from DI to DIII. Many college meets allow unattached entries on DirectAthletics.com or Coacho.com. I did have to drive quite a bit. Most regions have a wealth of small DIII college meets that are perfect for an elite masters. Seldom did I finish last, and when I did, it usually wasn’t by much. You’re apparently much younger than I am. You might want to take advantage of this while you can.
Michael,
I’m a sprinter, and I also live in Tennessee. Between the ages of 50 and 58, I’ve run in 104 track meets, 54 of them college meets. I once ran at the U of Memphis Invitational. In 2014, a few months short of age 54, I ran in 13 college track meets in a single indoor/outdoor season. Everything from DI to DIII. Many college meets allow unattached entries on DirectAthletics.com or Coacho.com. I did have to drive quite a bit. Most regions have a wealth of small DIII college meets that are perfect for an elite masters. Seldom did I finish last, and when I did, it usually wasn’t by much. You’re apparently much younger than I am. You might want to take advantage of this while you can.
Why are comments almost never published here?
William,
You are correct, many D3 meets will allow Masters to enter. I live in Memphis and both the U of M and Rhodes allow open and masters entries. I have competed in college meets and on a couple of occasions managed wins. Unfortunately, as a 70 year old high jumper, the typical opening height is now beyond my capability. Still for many college meets can be a good option.
John Brownly (October 21): For many people it must be close to impossible to get a comment published (I would say that at least 75% of my comments in the last 12 months have not been published). There must be a technical problem of which I am unaware.
Peter L. Taylor
Well, John (and others), that one went through. I don’t know what the technical problem is or why it does not always rear its head (as noted, I am batting about 25% in terms of getting comments actually published).
Now that I am up here, does everyone like the new USATF website? I found it very difficult at first for those interested in masters, but recently I found it a bit more forgiving. Also, are most of you going to Baton Rouge in March for indoor nationals? Last I looked we had 11 entrants. Any comments on the Baton Rouge site or on the one next year, which apparently will be in New York City?
Peter,
The new USATF web site took me a few minutes to get used to but seems to work well. I plan to enter Baton Rouge but probably will wait until closer to the deadline before registering.
Thank you, Michael W. I visited the new USATF web site again and stumbled initially but eventually found my bearings. As of November 18 at 8:34 PM we had 13 entrants for Baton Rouge, and I guess that that is a good start. I will now try to send this.