Update: Vancouver Masters Games possible in 2016, but not 2014
Don’t book your flights to Vancouver just yet. An exchange of email reveals that proponents of a British Columbia masters games are targeting 2016, not 2014, as reported earlier. Herb Phillips, a record-setting 1500-meter man in his 70s, posted a comment to that effect. Herb also wrote me privately: “Although I haven’t had it confirmed by Charmaine Crooks, Walt Judas at Tourism Vancouver says The Americas Masters Games Vancouver 2014 is now 2016. Burnaby lake (where I do most of my running) had said they were hosting the rowing for the Masters Games in August. Apparently they didn’t all get the memo. … A lot of information out there needs to be updated but I’m solidly behind the 2016 plan.” Earlier, I got this note from Brian McCalder, president/CEO of BC Athletics: “While we have not heard anything since 2012 and recently in 2013, … BC Athletics and the BC Athletics Masters Committee were aware of the proposal by the City of Vancouver, PAVCO (BC Pavilion Corporation) and Tourism Vancouver. Charmaine Crooks (five-time Canadian T&F Olympian) was/is the spokesperson for this initiative.” My thanks to all for staying in touch.
4 Responses
Well, Ken, I think this will work out well in the end. Both Vancouver and Victoria (also in British Columbia) are nice travel destinations, and a good time can be had by all. But that will be in 2016.
Nice to see that this event will not put any pressure on Winston-Salem outdoor nationals (July 2014). Hard to believe that the outdoor meet is only 9 months and 15 days away, and I definitely plan to be there. I predict that Winston-Salem will be only the second nationals outside of California or Oregon to draw more than 1350 entrants (Charlotte 2006 was the first).
Remember, the meet will be at Wake Forest University.
Wake Forest…on my calendar.
Samantha Hayward, a spokeswoman for the International Masters Games Association, writes:
I’m sorry to have to announce this, but the first edition of the Americas Masters Games in Vancouver has been postponed to 2016. By postponing the Games, we would like to ensure that Vancouver has enough time and resources to organize the first regional event on the American continent.
I will of course let you know when the website is running.
While waiting until 2016, you can join us in the European Masters Games in 2015 in Nice, France. These regional Games are an open event, so you can also participate.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Best regards,
—
Samantha Hayward
International Masters Games Association (IMGA)
Manager Communications & Partnerships
SH@imga.ch
I was reading with interest comments re: Vancouver Masters Games for 2016. My concern is that Vancouver and the Lower Mainland does not have a 10 lane 50 meter competition pool. Although UBC is in the process of building such pool, it will unlikely to be ready before 2017, owing to several delays in starting construction.
Ivan Szasz, MD
Leave a Reply