Monty Hacker cites stress of WMA duties.

Linda Pain, wife of masters track founder David Pain, has shared Monty Hacker’s letter of resignation of May 27. Monty became acting president of World Masters Athletics following the death of Cesare Beccalli in December 2007. Linda and David, my San Diego neighbors, have known Monty since the inception of WAVA in the 1970s. Linda wrote me: “Monty sent us his resignation letter and said he had no objection to our releasing it. . . . We are not surprised about his blood pressure, considering the stress level he has been under since taking over acting presidency as well as his vice presidential duties, plus trying to keep his law practice viable. His health needs to be a priority. . . . His resignation will certainly be a loss for WMA, but a necessary action in light of his health issues.”

Here is what Monty wrote to the WMA Council:

Dear Fellow Council Members,

Many of you may not know, but during the beginning of this year I was struck down with an unknown and unidentified viral infection which lasted some six weeks. Amongst a number of other side effects which the virus produced and which has lingered, is highly elevated blood pressure, which caused my specialist concern. He advised that this condition was caused by stress. He thus recommended that I avoid stressful situations if I wished to limit the risk of succumbing to an early heart attack.

This advice got me thinking because my pressurised occupation had neither previously nor subsequently caused me the kind of stress which resulted in attacks of high blood pressure. I therefore eliminated my professional occupation as the cause. However, seeking other answers I analysed the situations outside of my profession which could possibly have caused me abnormal stress. I soon realized that my exposure to stressful events occurring during the performance of my executive WMA Council duties was the likely cause as I had certainly been exposed to several of them during the last few months.

I have therefore had to make a decision in order to reduce my exposure to the kind of stressful situations which have been causing my blood pressure to become highly elevated, particularly if I wanted to survive and enjoy the approaching twilight of my life, in relative good health.

I have come to the conclusion that to continue remaining in office as a WMA Council or committee member in any capacity whatever is what exposes me to these stressful situations. I also recall just how these stressful situations affected the health of the late Cesare Beccalli during the Riccione Championships and before him Torsten Carlius during the San Sebastian Championships. I have therefore decided, albeit selfishly, that in the interests of myself and my family I must distance myself from these situations. In order to do so, I regrettably announce my immediate resignation from all council offices which I hold.

In so announcing my resignation, I do so in the knowledge that the WMA Council remains in very good hands and that my absence will not adversely affect the smooth and successful running of the organization and its many functions.

So, my dear friends, I take my leave of you with sincere good wishes to you all for a great WMA future.

Monty.