Berlin bidding to host the World Masters Games in 2013
The World Masters Games, a multisport festival held every four years, is ramping up for its 2009 edition in Sydney, Australia. It includes a big ol’ track meet, which can conflict with the masters circuit. Now comes word that the 2013 meet is being coveted by Berlin, Germany. The Koops’ site quotes Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit as saying Berlin has applied for the 2013 event, which is run by the International Masters Games Association. Klaus says Sydney is expecting 35,000 participants. Apparently, Turin (Italy) and Copenhagen-Malmo (Sweden-Denmark) are interested in 2013, too. The 2005 Games were in Edmonton, Alberta, and the 1998 Games were in Portland, Oregon.
4 Responses
Ken,
Sorry, but your choice of words puzzles me. Why should WMG’s track meet be seen as in “conflict with the Masters circuit” (whatever that is)? Is there not room for all?
What is this attitude that seems to exist between WMG and WMA, (and EVA and the new EMG in the eyes of some people, quite clearly, too)?
More choice of Masters competition around the world?Bring it on, I say!
Tom
I attended the last three World Games. The meets were well run and enjoyable, but the competitions were nowhere near as intense as the WMA championships. I think scheduling is part of the problem. Next year we have the Nationals in Florida, the Masters Games at Stanford, the WMA meet in Finland, and the World Games in Sydney. Only the wealthiest masters could enter all the events. They should coordinate the meets so that more people could attend.
Cities make a lot of money from our meets. They (and masters athletes) would be better served by a coordinated effort by the various organizations.
Berlin in 2013 – hum lemme see – I will be 78 – and hopefully still able to get around the oval. I have been to Germany a number of times and have yet to make it to Berlin. And a much cheaper trip than to Sidney. I have not been to a WMG – I would love to go to Sidney in 2009 – but it is very expensive airfare – and on top of Lahti – wow – and this is not a good time to be playing in the stock market! However for those living in Australia, New Zealand, Asia – the WMG in Sidney are a chance for a big international meet that is not so far from home while WMA in Finland is out of reach for most of them. It is good when these big meets are in different parts of the world and not focused in one geographical area.
Turin seems to be running also for 2013 WMA championship. Rumours coming from the city of Turin say that a strong LOC is going to make a strong bid
Leave a Reply