British masters mourn passing of sprinter Fran Scott
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Britain’s Fran Scott, a 49-year-old sprinter, was fighting liver cancer when I noted his struggle last September. Last Sunday, he died, according to an email message sent by UK Masters Team Manager Maurice Doogan. “I cannot say more, than to pass on the words and sentiments of Kermitt Bentham and Steve Peters, which I outline below,” began Maurice’s note, sent to UK masters. “It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to tell you that Francis Scott (Fran) passed away on Sunday 24th February.”
Maurice continued:
Francis had been doing well up until Saturday. We had been training on the track on Wednesday. He took ill Saturday night and was admitted to hospital. He had extensive bleeding from the numerous tumour sites on his liver.
He was operated on through the night. By morning he was chatting but the bleeding continued. Throughout Sunday the medical staff tried to stop the bleeding and replace fluids. By mid-afternoon Fran had lost consciousness. He did not regain consciousness and died late on Sunday afternoon.
Maria, his wife, and their eldest daughter were with him. I joined them. He did not suffer and it was a relatively quick death. He looked very peaceful and younger than ever.
Last fall, after failing to make the M45 finals in the 400 at Riccione, Fran said: “All I think about is getting a quicker time. Next year I’ll be right up there.”
Our condolences to Fran’s family. At indoor worlds in March, the Brits will be fueled by the memory of their friend.
British masters sprinter argues for ‘parity of esteem’
M50 sprinter Tom Phillips is an exceptional sports photographer in England who writes well, too. Recently he shared a link on our Forum to an article he wrote for the UK masters magazine. It’s posted below. The article recounts the evolution of his appreciation for masters track — starting at age 14 when he knew some vets in his club. But after becoming one himself, he became acutely aware of the lack of respect and admiration for masters athletes. Therefore he calls for a “parity of esteem.” We agree.
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Tom Phillips - February 21, 2008
Glad you liked it, Ken. BTW, I’m an M50, and M55 next year, not an M45, but I’m flattered that my photo fooled you in to docking me nearly ten years!
Tom -
Ken Stone - February 21, 2008
Sorry about that, Tom. I fixt the reference to your age group. Stay forever young (and handsome)!
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Mike Walker - February 21, 2008
I agree that it is a shame that Masters athletics are not well appreciated but if we want that to change it appears that the masters community will have to find the solution. Any suggestions?
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Anthony Treacher - February 22, 2008
“Any suggestions?” Nope. The lack of respect goes with the turf. I remember a snide remark from a mature coach in a previous club: “You veterans have athletics as your hobby” – instead of competing, he thought I should be organising or training the club’s youngsters. Even masters officers can vent this sort of thing. As we are in good shape for our age, there is also envy involved. We masters athletes cannot change these attitudes. Let’s just enjoy each other’s company and get on with the show.
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When I think further about this?¢Ç¨¬¶. If I had been a regular senior athlete, a British team manager would never have dared expose me to rules infringements, cheating and verbal abuse at a world championships. And the IAAF would never have allowed the British team manager onto the track. And my British governing body, UKA, would never have suspended a senior athlete on trumped-up charges, without hearing or appeal. But because I am a masters athlete, the BMAF can do precisely that.
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British masters still bonkers over banned athlete
Anthony Treacher’s relentless pursuit of justice continues. You remember him — the wronged British athlete from 2006 Linz worlds who was banned by the BMAF for being a pain in the neck? The latest development is chronicled in this Forum thread. In mid-August, Anthony was ordered to return the medals he won in a UK meet June 10. But Bridget Cushen, the BMAF secretary, wrote him Thursday, saying: “We have now investigated the circumstances regarding you competing in the EVAC Club Championships and I now write to confirm that we will be taking no further action against you. We hope to see you back in BMAF competition after 16 January 2008.” This sliver of sanity is replicated on the U.S. side of the Pond as well.
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Doug Smith (The Younger) - September 2, 2007
Surely each WMA affiliate would respect the rulings of another affiliate with respect to their banning of one of their athletes. We could hardly hold hearings in any other country where that athlete wished to compete during their ban….and I’m as radical as they come. 🙂
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Doug Smith (The Younger) – nice comment. Thanks.
This is an ongoing saga that is obviously taxing the best athletics minds of our age.
You mention a “hearing”? I am a British masters athlete, not an American for God’s sake. A hearing would be sheer utopia. The BMAF held no bluddy hearing. Then the WMA held no hearing. WMA praxis is simply to rubber stamp the ruling of “its” WMA national governing body, in this unfortunate case that organisational anomaly, the BMAF. And the WMA never informed me. But who cares?
Unlike USATF, the BMAF is not its country’s IAAF national governing body – for the UK that is
UK Athletics (UKA). So now to the question of reciprocity. Should the IAAF-affiliated USATF by proxy automatically apply the dictates of the non IAAF-affiliated BMAF just because the WMA – a parallel competing organisation to the IAAF – says so?
In which case it would be the most extraordinary voluntary American acceptance of British dictates on American soil since 1781.
So this is all quite a laugh. Send me your e-mail and I will return to you privately if you like.
OK you guys. Please put me right on this. Keep those comments coming.
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British masters threaten M65 sprinter with lifetime ban
Anthony Treacher, a record-holding British M65 sprinter living in Stockholm, will be banned for life from British and international masters competition on January 15 if he doesn’t apologize to the British Masters Athletic Federation. His offense? Being relentless in pursuit of a complaint against the national team manager. After nearly two months of correspondence, including 40 emails from Treacher, I’ve posted this disturbing account of how a tiff with the team manager at the Linz world indoor championships grew into a soap opera involving top leaders of British masters and World Masters Athletics. It’s a textbook case of how not to handle an athlete’s gripe. Treacher (which rhymes with TEACHER) tried to settle the dispute with a handshake. Rebuffed, he gives a lesson in pursuit of justice.
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Tony Bell - January 13, 2007
All sounds rather messy
Why not run for Sweden? My wife is a USA citizen but has lived in the UK for many years and is a member of a BMAF affiliated club. She has run for Great Britain in the 2005 San Sebastian WMA and 2006 Poznan EVACS championships after competing for Uncle Sam earlier in her career. -
Tom Fahey - January 13, 2007
It may not be so easy for him to compete for Sweden.
I inquired about competing for Ireland in the European championships (my grandparents were from Ireland, so I am eligible for dual citizenship). At San Sebastian, they passed a rule that anyone competing for one country could not compete for another for two years. This rule prevented me from competing at Poznan.
Nationalism is not in the spirit of masters track and field. Yet, it is rearing it ugly head with required national uniforms, country medal counts, and restrictive competition rules. When are the bureaucrats going to understand that masters athletics are for the athlete and not for people who like to be in charge?
Tom Fahey M59 thrower -
I would not wish the fact that my photograph of Tony taking part in Linz accompanies part of this blog to be taken as an assumption that I have any view, for or against, the issues being discussed. I do not.
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My deepest condolescenses to the immediate family of Fran, as well as to the great extended Brit-Masters Track family for this loss. Fran sounds like yet another classy Brit, a hard worker that leads by example. The USA mourns with you.
I first ran against Fran at the World’s in Spain. We stayed at the same hotel in Italy and I had the opportunity to get to know him there. He was an outstanding individual and a great competator with a wonderful outlook on life. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and freinds.
I first ran against Fran at the World’s in Spain. We stayed at the same hotel in Italy and I had the opportunity to get to know him there. He was an outstanding individual and a great competator with a wonderful outlook on life. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and friends.
I was Team Manager at Altrincham & District Athletic Club where Fran competed for us in 2005 and 2006. None of us knew that there was any hint of illness, and who would have guessed when he was competing the way he did? He was a truly delightful person to know – his positive attitude and fiercely competitive nature made him a great asset to the team. He is very sadly missed, and I consider it a privilage to have known him. RIP Fran – and Best Wishes to Maria, Patrice and Francis.
I learned with sorrow the news about the death of our friend and our brother Fran Scott. I understand the magnitude of the shock which befell upon your family and yours athletics masters family sp?ɬ©cial M45 by his death whatever the words that l’may use to help your family in bearing this calamity it is quite clear that will not replace the person.
I wish only and in simple words to convey to your family my deep sorrow and l’hop that impact of our athlete ‘s death will recede quickly although l am certain that his memory will last forever patience joined to the knowledge that every human being will pass away on a predestined day always help in making us forget but we always wish that such day will not come very soon.
I present to all my heartiest condolences
Allow me a personal and on behalf of the Algerian veteran athletes to join my pain to you and express to you all my feelings of sadness and sympathy affectuese
Over the past 2 Summers i had countless battles with Fran in the Northen league over the 400m and the relay. Despite being some 30 years younger i only just managed to edge him out.
A great man that gives inspiration to many to aspire and strive to live a great life like Fran did. Too hear he was still training just days before his passing away is testiment to how dedicated he was.
RIP Fran x
Francis Scott & Kermitt Bentham I met then became friends with at my first Worlds in Brisbane, Australia….Truly class individuals.
I wish I could have told him how proud I was of him competing this past Indoor season…..Amazing.
Mr. Ben James also comes to mind when thinking of amazing people who had the ability to beat the odds.
“As outdoor season approach, Francis, I’ll have you in mind for strength…..you feel me, man ?!”
Saladin
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