Malaga worlds

Cynthia Monteleone, outspoken against transgender women competing in sports, went round with Rex Harvey (inset)

General February 8, 2022

Rex Harvey was USATF official who sought to silence W45 sprint ace Cynthia Monteleone

Cynthia Monteleone has some kind of guts. That’s no shock, since she runs 400 meters all out — including at world-class levels. Cynthia took bronze in the W40 400 at 2018 Malaga worlds (along with USA golds in the 4×100 and 4×400.) She was No. 4 on the 2021 global list in W45 (with 59.22) and No. 2 in 200 (at 26.08). But when you’re under a world media spotlight and still speak your mind, it takes a special kind of chutzpah. Cynthia — a Hawaiian coach, author and mother of three — became a headline in a culture war…

Stew Marshall won gold in a 2016 Perth relay and took home three titles at 2018 Malaga worlds.

International April 13, 2020

M35 world champ Stew Marshall puts COVID-19 in rearview mirror, updates WMA site

In 2016, Stewart Marshall of Great Britain competed in his first world masters meet — in Perth, Australia. It didn’t go well. He entered the 200 and 400 but “made the quick decision” not to run the deuce due to injury the week after his nationals. Then in the 400 final, he was DQ’d. But he came home with two M35 golds in the 4×1 and 4×4 relays. And in 2017, he further showed his dedication to our niche sport by becoming the website manager for World Masters Athletics. In 2018, he made up for Perth by winning the M35…

A month after sharing Malaga survey results with affiliates (or selected folks), WMA shared a censored version for public consumption.

Rants January 30, 2019

WMA responds to questions about differing Malaga athletes surveys

A week ago, I made a stink about WMA posting results of a Malaga athlete survey that differed from one leaked to me. On Wednesday, former WMA Secretary Winston Thomas of Britain sent me a statement that doesn’t address all my concerns. But as coordinator of the Marketing and Communications Committee (chaired by ex-Prez Stan Perkins), Winston at least tackles some issues. Winston writes: I will not comment on your differences of the surveys as I do not know where the initial one you had came from, for the document had not been completed. Let me say that as the…

A month after sharing Malaga survey results with affiliates (or selected folks), WMA shared a censored version for public consumption.

Rants January 22, 2019

Why is WMA hiding responses to Malaga survey? Page of critical comments left out

Nearly a month ago, I posted results of a WMA survey taken after Malaga worlds. (I got it from Masters Mole 3443b.) In my summary, I estimated that 115 people took part, which I called an “atrocious” 1.4 percent participation rate. But WMA revealed Tuesday that “over 500” answered the survey. So it’s only a pathetic 6.2 percent response rate. My apologies. (Yet a new page 2 of the survey response says 14.6 percent of 8,191 athletes “responded the survey.” That equates to close to 1,200. Go figure.) Anyway: WMA cherrypicks — and bats away — two complaints: locations and…

Based on this chart, about 115 answered the age-group question. So we can assume that's the overall figure.

International December 26, 2018

Few respond to WMA survey on Malaga worlds, but feedback is still eye-opening

In its latest survey, WMA asked Malaga athletes, officials and coaches what they thought. And I’ve obtained a copy of results. No exact data on how many answered. But of 8,000 entrants, roughly 115 took part — based on the “What is your age group?” question. That translates to a participation rate of 1.4 percent. Atrocious. But even if the sample is almost worthless, the 23-page “Masters Athlete Survey Post Malaga” has its moments. At the end, key comments are listed. Some are doozies. The feedback purportedly represents “most discussed topics.” (I suspect it’s almost every comment.) The last one…

Sadao Tabira left Malaga with three silvers medals at M85 distances, but also DNS 14 times in the final results.

International December 17, 2018

M85 Japanese medalist at Malaga: DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS

A few days before Malaga worlds, I went bonkers over Japanese entrant Sadao Tabira. I learned he was entered in 17 (seventeen, diecisiete, hiragana) events, including the decathlon. And he’s 85! So how did he do? Uhm. The question is how did he not do. He took silver in the 5000 (34:53.87), 10K road run (1:35:21) and 6K cross country (46:00). The rest? DNS. Did not start. Sigh. As noted originally, Sadao is a survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bomb “Fat Man.” So I can’t stay mad. He’s paid his life dues. But he probably paid hundreds of dollars more…

Kerry Sloan, in front during a pentathlon 1500 at 2011 Berea nationals, faces serious charge involving a 17-year-old girl.

General December 5, 2018

Kerry Sloan faces 10-to-life sentence in rape case — with federal trial set for April 15, 2019

Three months ago, I reported how M55 hurdler Kerry Sloan had been arrested on rape charges on the way to Malaga worlds — seized at a Texas airport on the way to London. I tracked the case for a few days and then let it slide. Wednesday, a USATF notice brought Kerry to my attention again: Please be advised that it has come to USATF’s attention that the following individual has been deemed ineligible by the U.S. Center for SafeSport (www.safesport.org). KERRY SLOAN (Harker Heights, TX) – INELIGIBLE (SUBJECT TO APPEAL/NOT YET FINAL) Accordingly, this individual is prohibited from participating,…

Rants December 3, 2018

Malaga relay mess yields new Team USA selection procedures (but Net savvy is mandatory)

At the Columbus annual meeting, members of the Masters Track & Field Committee debated the relay selection process — an effort to avoid another Malaga mess. The result is a wag-the-dog statement that justifies the use of M70 Charles Allie in the M65 4×100 in defiance of then rules. For the first time, USATF masters’ relay goal is “is to win as many relays as possible. The secondary goal is to involve as many Team USATF Masters athlete applicants as possible in the relays.” Hoookay. The old rules suggested that staying in your age group was Job One: “The TSC…

Bernard "Kip" Lagat, shown in 2010 Berlin race, is listed M40 WR man but still doesn't hold listed American record.

Records November 29, 2018

Revelations in masters reports: Pete Taylor comeback, $10,000 for John Seto, missing Lagat records

Masters track subcommittee reports have been posted in the USATF annual meeting Document Library. Interesting stuff. We learn, for example, that John Seto was paid $10,000 for maintaining top-25 USATF masters rankings (actually seasonal lists) at his amazing site. We also hear from USA Team Manager Phil Greenwald (I assume) about the Malaga relay issues. Here’s what the team manager report says: Following the meet, there has been discussion in various blogs and social media about the M65 to M80 teams in the 4×100 and the M65 and M70 in the 4X400. The M65/M70 selections were discussed with the people…

Annelies is an accomplished javelin thrower as well as high jumper, who proudly wears Dutch orange.

General November 20, 2018

W70 world champ Annelies Steekelenburg homeless from Malibu fire but not friendless

Lady Gaga fled. So did Miley Cyrus, Neil Young and Robin Thicke. But I’m not worried about their fate from the devastating Woolsey Fire that razed parts of Malibu. I’m stunned how masters royalty has been victimized. Malaga M60 champion Peter Hlavin shares the sad news that his high jump friend — and Malaga W70 gold medalist — Annelies Steekelenburg lost almost all her possessions. She rented a home in Malibu. “Annelies is safe, having evacuated with car, computer, some clothes, a few of her personal paintings and — high jump shoes,” Peter writes. “For the past 18 years, she…