Aussies launch their own Masters Athletics Hall of Fame
Considering that Australia can make a claim to inventing masters track, this came as a surprise: They’ve just inducted their first class into a national Masters Hall of Fame. Among the inductees: John Gilmour, who tells the story of beating a Japanese guard in a 100-meter challenge when he was POW during World War II. Another story features Alan Bradford, who boasts of having set 30 world records. Can’t quite find the other inductees. The USA Masters Hall of Fame has been going for 12 years. Both halls share a sad commonality: “The current home of the Hall of Fame will be the AMA website, where information about inductees will be presented,” AMA says. “The Hall of Fame does not yet have a physical home.” Any other country with a Masters Hall of Fame?
John Gilmour jogs with some of his younger fans.
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Canada has had the Canadian Masters Athletics Hall of Fame since 2002. The first inductees are Bill Allen, distance runner; Max Gould, racewalker; Ian Hume, jumps and throws; Isobel Saumier, sprinter; and Arthur Taylor, steeplechase and distance. Bios on Ian and Isobel can be read at http://www.canadianmastersathletics.com/hall. Under the “administrators” are 16 names: Don Farquaharson, and all fifteen members of the committee that presented the first World Masters Track and Field Championshps in Toronto in 1975.
A plan was outlined for additional inductees on a yearly basis, but not pursued – until now. A new Hall of Fame committee has been formed, and we’re now in catchup mode. One of our biggest tasks is to ensure that we do not forget our outstanding athletes and builders of the 70s and 80s, even as we look at the current “crop” of world record holders, champions and leaders. Another task is to post bios on Bill, Max and Arthur. Watch our website for their stories, and our next inductees.
Diane
Ann Cooper is the other inductee into the Australian masters hall of fame.
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