Germans to post entries to Puerto Rico WMA meet
A German masters site reports that 273 Germans — 177 men and 96 women — have signed up so far to compete in the WMA World Masters Athletic Championships in Puerto Rico. The deadline has been extended to May 26, however, so more may turn out. The Web site promises a complete list of entrants in coming weeks. And therein lies a tale.
The American squad should be about twice that number — and we have the same ability to list our athletes online as well. It would be a FABULOUS show of media smarts and recognition of our team for USATF to post the names and hometowns of entrants — a way for local papers around the country to scout out possible stories on local athletes before the July 2-13 meet.
It shouldn’t take the combined skills of James Bond and Sherlock Holmes to track down the names of USA athletes entered in the World Masters Athletic Championships. Four years ago, USATF Masters Chairman Ken Weinbel had to order the USA team manager to disclose the names publicly. This year, it should be a matter of course — just as USA team members on the Paris World Championships and various Junior worlds in the past have been disseminated widely.
Cross your fingers that USATF Masters does the right thing.