Archive for July, 2003

Ashford is king of masters hurdlers

On a fortuitous 7/11, David Ashford of Illinois put his money where his spikes are — shattering the M40 world record in the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 13.73 seconds (into a slight wind). Highlighting a season in which he and his agent promised a masters record in the event, Ashford beat the […]

July 11, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Euro delegates disenfranchised at WMA?

The plot thickens. According to a witness of yesterday’s WMA General Assembly in Carolina, Puerto Rico, some European delegations — including those of Germany and France — were barred from voting. Since Germany had one of the biggest voting blocs in Puerto Rico, this would be a huge blow to WMA democracy. I’m still trying […]

July 11, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Masters life for men begins at 35

The desert has shrunk. The entry age of men for masters competition will now be the same as women: 35 (pending a rubber stamp by the IAAF). This is long overdue — and represents the first fundamental change in defining masters since David Pain initiated the men 40/women 35 entry ages in the late 1960s. […]

July 11, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  3 Comments

No Flash Results for General Assembly

Four years ago, when I attended the WAVA General Assembly at Gateshead, England, I was impressed by the technology that (via headphones) provided translations of debates in many languages to the voting delegates. I wish WMA would show some tech savvy today. It’s now 1 a.m. Pacific team, long after the close of the WMA […]

July 11, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Ashford threatens masters hurdle record

Dave Ashford of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, came THIS close to breaking the M40 world record in the 110 hurdles yesterday in Puerto Rico. Running with a legal (0.2 mps) wind, Ashford clocked a sensational 14.02 in the prelims — nearly two seconds ahead of the runner-up in Heat 1.

July 10, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Bill Collins wins M50 200 — time NA

Mystery is half-solved. Bill Collins beat Ed Gonera for the M50 title at 200 yesterday in Puerto Rico — but we may never know his true winning time. Results from WMA worlds site show: 1 Collins, Bill M52 United States NT NWI 2 Gonera, Edward M51 United States NT NWI 3 Bowen, Robert M51 United […]

July 9, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Phil Raschker fights through pain

In 1978, I interviewed four-time Olympic discus champion Al Oerter. In my story for Track & Field News, I repeated what Oerter had famously said years before: “These are the Olympics. You die for them.” Now we’re seeing that creed play out in Carolina. The latest example: Phil Raschker.

July 8, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Mystery of the M50 200 final

Results have been posted for all the 200-meter finals at Puerto Rico WMA worlds except one — the men’s 50-54 final involving Houston’s Bill Collins and New York’s Ed Gonera. In the semis, Collins ran 23.01 with an illegal wind and Gonera had a 23.26w. Results should be here.

July 8, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

WMA accepts World Anti-Doping Code

WMA President Torsten Carlius has reported that World Masters Athletics will sign the 53-page World Anti-Doping Code. This could be good news for masters athletes taking doctor-prescribed medicines that are on the banned list. The code has a section on therapeutic use exemptions.

July 7, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed

Ottey wins IAAF Grand Prix meet 100

The Associated Press reports from Zagreb, Croatia: “Olympic and world championships medalist Merlene Ottey won the 100 meters over a weak field at the IAAF Grand Prix meet on Monday. Ottey, 43, was timed in 11.42 seconds before a packed stadium in ideal summer conditions.”

July 7, 2003   Posted in: Uncategorized  Comments Closed