National Senior Games results book ‘certifies’ world records
Folks who compete in Senior Games know the drill: Do your runs, jumps or throws and wait months for the results book. In the case of the 2009 National Senior Games, held in early August, those books are just now landing in mailboxes. But a surprise is in store for the likes of Audrey Lary, Flo Meiler and Don Pellmann. You’re a world record holder! Check out the excerpt below (with the WR and AR notations blown up for legibility). The practice of denoting records is common in many meet results, even though ratification can’t be assumed — and in this case was never achieved (for reasons well-documented). This prompted a Pacific Northwest friend of mine to write: “Hey, who needs Sandy Pashkin? Who needs USATF? The National Stupid Games have taken it upon themselves to announce national and world masters track and field records!”
Clip from a page of the just-released 2009 National Senior Games results book.
My masters mole further opines:
Even better, you don’t have to have a stupid “pending” record indicated. If the NSGA says you have a national/world masters record, well, then, dog-gone-it, you must have one. . . . For example, on page 67, Donald Pellman (M90) is credited with a NSGA record, as well as an American and World record for a 1.15m high jump and on page 71 with a NSGA record, as well as an American and World Record for a 10.18m shot put.
On page 72, Audrey Lary (W75) is credited with a NSGA record, as well as an American and World Record for a 7.88 triple jump.
And there are many other examples. So, what message is NSGA sending? Don’t worry about being sanctioned by USAT&F. Don’t worry about having records piling up on Sandy’s desk. Come to the NSGA and you can get a record in half the time it takes to get one from USATF. Cripes.
I wouldn’t be so harsh. NSG folks are just showing pride in their performers. But the practice of denoting WRs on their own authority — with full knowledge that USATF and WMA have refused to ratify these legitimate marks — just muddies the record. Whoa be to any sportswriter who seeks to know which world records are world records.
The original results posted online (see Don’s here and Flo’s here) mention nothing about records.
I’ve hammered the issue for months, trying to get these marks formally recognized as American and world age-group records, but perhaps the National Senior Games Association has more clout than we realize. It essentially created its own record book.
Maybe the NSGA should go corporate. Hostile takeover of USATF Masters, anyone?
6 Responses
It will be interesting to read comments from leaders of WMA, USATF and others about the boldness of National Senior Olympics/Games.
Is it now ok for Senior Olympics/Games to challenge the authority of WMA and USATF to establish rules and procedures for recognizing records?
No performances at the 2009 National Senior Olympics deserve to be recognized as National or World records. Perhaps the acknowledged deficiencies in number of certified officials and conformity with USATF and WMA rules can be corrected in order to allow 2011 performances in Houston can be recognized.
Jack, of the many records set at the 2009 Sr Games, I will start with just one: Audrey Lary’s record in 400 (W75). Do you have personal knowledge, or has anyone informed you, that she started early, that she ran out of lane, that she did not run 400 meters, or that the timing was incorrect?
If you do not, I wonder why you say that no performances at Palo Alto should be recognized. Audrey lives in Maryland, traveled across the country, and broke a record. She may never run that fast again. Does she not deserve better than she has received?
I should also note that nothing I see represents a challenge to the authority of WMA and USATF. NSGA simply noted the record performances. I should also point out that records from Pittsburgh (2005) and Louisville (2007), the two previous editions of the Sr Games, were recognized. Why bring up Houston (2011)?
Those who broke records at Palo Alto who did not receive credit were robbed unless just cause can be shown to deny them their records.
NSG “certified” the records but that does not make them accepted by WMA and the powers that be that certify the records. Just because the NSG puts a mark next to a result does not mean that the record will turn up on the WMA list of WR. But I repeat myself.
I think that the issue of NSG in California not being a sanctioned meet has been beaten into the ground. Until and unless USATF decides that the NSG track meet was sanctioned – the USATF athletes who competed there and “set records” are not going to see their names and marks in the WMA and/or USATF records list.
This is stupid – it goes without saying – and it defies common sense. Now to add to the lack of common sense NSG just goes and sticks its marks indicating American and World Records next to some results. This entire affair just boggles the mind.
And for those of you who are hot to dump USATF and throw masters track and field under the bus of NSG – guess what – you are not going to be better off with the NSG as they do not listen either. And – frankly I do not think they care at all about athlete records. And on top of that – they have many sports to consider – do you really think that Track and Field is a priority for them?
It seems to me that NSG is simply stating the marks bettered the listed world record – nothing more than that.
I think it is important to realize that USATF and WMA records are just that, and not necessarily the best ever US or world marks. The USATF records for example are the best recorded at USATF sanctioned events under a very specific set of circumstances. While this might be the most reliable or most prestigious set of “American Records” calling them American records adds to the confusion. It should just be a USATF Record.
Consider the similar situation with high school records. There are the T&FN records and the more official but lesser regarded National Federation of High School records. Then for good measure toss in the USATF Youth records and AAU Junior Olympic records that all cover the same age athlete. People seem less bothered by that than masters, recognizing that a Junior Olympic record for example needs to be set in a Junior Olympic competition. Same deal with masters – a USATF Record is simply the fastest run in USATF competition.
I take no offense at the NSG for trying to give credit where it is due and letting officious bureaucrats fuss over their layers of paperwork elsewhere. Why be invested in maintaining the authority of those doing the job poorly, anyway?
ANYONE has the authority to maintain his or her own record book, just as ANYONE has the authority to maintain a list of all-time rankings of sports teams. The rest of us have the right to evaluate each record book against our own desiderata, which in my case include: integrity of the data, on-the-ground evidence that the event was contested fairly, inclusivity, and efficiency and efficacy in posting new records when they are achieved. Others can have their own criteria. But if your criteria is: who has the authority to SAY SO, I would argue that you are making a mistake.
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