Archive for July, 2003

Dave Ortman’s Carolina Campaign

M50 sprinter/hurdler/jumper David Ortman would make a great president. Unfortunately, his politics are a little too green for most. A former Friends of the Earth honcho, he ran for public office in 1997, drawing some enthusaistic endorsements and nearly 140,000 votes for a seat on the Seattle Port Commision. But he couldn’t clear the hurdle […]

July 25, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Dave Clingan — holding his form at 49

Dave Clingan wears so many hats it’s a surprise his head doesn’t cave in. On one hand, he’s the official keeper of USATF Masters Rankings online. On the other, he moves up in the rankings almost every month as a world-class 800 man. So it goes for the Portland, Oregon, runner — the USATF Masters […]

July 22, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

Eyewitness to M50 200 — Ed Gonera

Ed Gonera of New York had a unique vantage point during the M50 200 at Puerto Rico — chasing Bill Collins to the finish line and winning the silver medal. Here’s his take on the mystery 200: “I am relating the story Bill Collins told me concerning the race. Bill said an official walked past […]

July 22, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Mystery deepens in M50 200 final

The video of the “lost” 200 at WMA worlds apparently is more than a rumor. According to the British track magazine Athletics Weekly, such a video was cited to move Britain’s Viv Oliver up from fourth to a tie for third (with American Robert Bowen) in the M50 200 won by Bill Collins of Texas.

July 21, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Bill Collins should sue the weather gods

FlashResults mogul Roger Jennings reports that Bill Collins, winner of the M50 200 meter on a rainy day in Carolina, “heard 22.3” as a hand-time result of his snakebit final. But Jennings writes: “I’m (nor he) was too sure where it came from, so no, haven’t heard of any (other) times. Did hear a rumor […]

July 18, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Masters legends Oerter, Pain mending

Al Oerter the discus god and David Pain the founder of USA masters track are recovering from serious health problems at the moment. In southwest Florida, Oerter is thankful to be alive after heart failure. In San Diego, Pain is recovering from a serious bike crash. Sorry to be reporting these incidents months after the […]

July 18, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

The untold stories of WMA worlds

Anyone who competes in a world masters meet has a story to tell that rivals “The Odyssey” by Homer. If I could interview some of the sung and unsung USA athletes, for example, I might start with Louise Adams, 81, who won the 800, 1500, 5000 and 8K cross country race. I’d ask: “What motivates […]

July 16, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

FlashResults in Carolina muy bueno

I’m positively pleased to share a note I wrote to Roger Jennings at FlashResults, the North Carolina-based timing and results-reporting service that did such a great job in Carolina, Puerto Rico. And I urge like-minded athletes to do the same.

July 16, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

The myth of world masters championships

For all the marvelous marks at Carolina, we might keep in mind the athletes left behind. An unknown number of entrants never made it to the stadia of Puerto Rico. Many could have medaled. This is always the case, but the relatively low turnout at Carolina (probably under 2,500) underlines the point. So did a […]

July 14, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  6 Comments

More on WMA General Assembly mischief

Before the topic gets old and moldy, let’s tie up some loose ends on the WMA General Assembly. These national masters delegates met from around 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. July 10, 2003, at the Ritz Carlton Carolina (with a break for lunch). Bottom line: A semblance of democracy remains in World Masters Athletics. Like […]

July 13, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments