European Senior Games are latest offering on masters scene
You can’t tell your masters games without a program. The National Senior Games took place last month in Northern California. The World Masters Games are next month in Sydney. But right now, the European Senior Games are wrapping up in Holland, and in 2011, the European Masters Games are set for Lignano, Italy. But WMA is conflicted on sanctioning. The 2011 Euro games are not sanctioned, but the 2009 World Masters Games are. Not sure what this means for any records set at the 2011 event or the one ending tomorrow. Our SoCal friend Annelies Steekelenburg notified us of the Dutch event, where she reports: “The first European Senior Games are being held between Sept. 8-12 in this most charming medieval town of Zierikzee in the south of Holland (with) 2,000 athletes from 33 . . . nationalities. Beautiful track, fantastic organization, lots of press in major papers and TV. Had hoped for more track and field athletes, but it is a start.” She notes her winning W60 high jump of 1.37 (4-6). Frequent commenter Weia Reinboud won the W55 event with a 1.40 (4-7). Other results are here.
Annelies Steekelenburg arches at Euro Senior Games in her native Holland.
6 Responses
I also wonder the situation of European Masters Games and these European Senior Games. Aren’t there enough championships?
It was nice to meet Annelies in person! She has a better technique than me and I jumped badly anyway. Records in this meet are no problem, we have no unsanctioned meets.
At about 5′ you see the oldest participant, a 100-year old tennis player. Would be a good thrower for his age I suppose.
http://www.omroepzeeland.nl/streams/uitzendinggemist/SL/player.php?fid=http://www.omroepzeeland.nl/MediaCentrum/2009/Senior%20Games/SeniorGames_20090908.wmv
Go Annalies!
In my opinion there is never to many meets. The competition to sponsor meets makes for better organization and fosters an ability to picking up new participants from different places. Plus gives a greater chance to develop more officals.
I agree with Michael. We can’t moan about a lack of competition and shun meets like this. I was one of a very small number of Brits who went to last year’s European Masters Games. They were great, and I really look forward to the next edition, even if some national govering bodies look down their noses at it, out of misplaced self-interest etc.
However, I really don’t recall seeing anything at all about the European Seniors Games. I reckon I keep my ear pretty close to the ground, too. Sadly, I think I could draw the conclusion that the publicity for it was a bit below par.
It may have called itself “European”, but looking at a selection of the results, 90% of the track athletes were Dutch, with a few neighboring Belgians, and a handful of Germans. I’d ne really interested to know what efforts were made to attract a wider, truly European audience?
dear ladies and gentlemen where and when-european senior games-2010, please, inform us. ambassador world games
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