Worst fears are realized. This reply came early Friday from WMA President Stan Perkins of Australia: “I have just received a formal notification from the Chinese Athletics Federation that the team who were to attend the WMA Indoors Championships to be held in Daegu have taken the decision to withdraw from the championships. This notification came in response to my inquiry as to whether reports that had been circulating advising a boycott was to be imposed was true or not. The notification specifically states that the decision was taken after ‘most athletes and their families expressed concerns and worries about their participation in the championships.’ Put bluntly, there is nothing that can be done to change this situation.”

Stan continued:

Tensions that have seemingly existed for some time about military based activities with South Korea would be the most likely catalyst for this decision and as the notification is from the China Athletic Association, the entity that all Chinese Masters Athletes are registered with, I see no opportunity to change the decision.

I have written to the CAAA expressing my sadness at the decision which will impact upon the whole of the Asian Masters region.

Unfortunately, China is scheduled to host the Asian Regional Masters Track and Field Championships in September this year at Rugao City. The Regional Council will now need to re-assess that decision in the light of the withdrawal of the Chinese team from the Daegu Indoor Championships.

This is a very difficult and delicate situation that now faces the Region, and impacts indirectly upon WMA as a body. The decision has been referred to the IAAF for their consideration.

Bummer!

Now the question arises: What about Hong Kong?

That former British colony — returned to China in 1997 — has its own WMA affiliate. Are they affected?

Stay tuned.

Here are HK entrants at Daegu:

35-39 Men 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chi Fai Lee Hong Kong, China 8.40 accepted
40-44 Men 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wai Chun Peter Yu Hong Kong, China NT accepted
40-44 Women 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Man Yan Lee Hong Kong, China 10.00 accepted
45-49 Men 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yau Ching Lay Yat Mou Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Ka Fai Lee Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Yu Man Timothy Lui Hong Kong, China 7.90 accepted
50-54 Men 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Anthony C W Chow Hong Kong, China 8.00 accepted
Tung Sing Jeffrey Lai Hong Kong, China 7.60 accepted
Tsun Fat Lam Hong Kong, China 12.50 accepted
50-54 Women 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ka Yee Margaret Hung Hong Kong, China 8.87 accepted
Yuen Fan Jennifer Leung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Yuen Man Mandy Leung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Wai Lan Lung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
55-59 Men 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wai Ling Kung Hong Kong, China 7.80 accepted
55-59 Women 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Cecilia Wah Sau Tse Hong Kong, China 9.50 accepted
70-74 Men 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chi Cheung Fu Hong Kong, China NT accepted
80-84 Men 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chun Chuen Lam Hong Kong, China NT accepted
90-94 Women 60m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Suet-Ling Cheung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
35-39 Men 200m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Kai Ming Carl Tse Hong Kong, China 25.20 accepted
45-49 Men 200m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yau Ching Lay Yat Mou Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Yu Man Timothy Lui Hong Kong, China 26.00 accepted
50-54 Men 200m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Anthony C W Chow Hong Kong, China 27.70 accepted
Tsun Fat Lam Hong Kong, China 26.00 accepted
50-54 Women 200m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ka Yee Margaret Hung Hong Kong, China 29.58 accepted
Wai Lan Lung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
70-74 Men 200m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chi Cheung Fu Hong Kong, China 35.27 accepted
90-94 Women 200m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Suet-Ling Cheung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
35-39 Men 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Eric Chan Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Chi Hang Mark Lo Hong Kong, China 58.23 accepted
Ho Nung Marcus Mak Hong Kong, China 54.15 accepted
Wing Kin Tang Hong Kong, China NT accepted
35-39 Women 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ying Mei Au Hong Kong, China 1:12.00 accepted
Chor Kwan Joyce Wong Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Nim Sze Wong Hong Kong, China NT accepted
40-44 Men 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wei Lun Alan Cheung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Yin Ho Fu Hong Kong, China 57.42 accepted
Wai Yeung Lai Hong Kong, China 59.30 accepted
Kai Tung Dominic Wong Hong Kong, China 57.64 accepted
Kin On Wong Hong Kong, China 53.67 accepted
45-49 Men 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Kam Tong Tony Chui Hong Kong, China 1:01.84 accepted
45-49 Women 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Man Yi Chung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
50-54 Men 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Tsun Fat Lam Hong Kong, China 58.50 accepted
50-54 Women 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yuen Fan Jennifer Leung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Wai Lan Lung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
70-74 Men 400m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chi Cheung Fu Hong Kong, China NT accepted
50-54 Men 800m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Tsun Fat Lam Hong Kong, China 2:50.00 accepted
Wai Chuen Pon Hong Kong, China 2:20.00 accepted
55-59 Men 800m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Mark Francis Reeves Hong Kong, China 2:22.00 accepted
35-39 Women 1500m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ying Mei Au Hong Kong, China 6:00.00 accepted
40-44 Men 1500m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wai Yeung Lai Hong Kong, China 5:45.00 accepted
40-44 Women 1500m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Charlotte Cutler Hong Kong, China 5:05.00 accepted
55-59 Men 1500m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Mark Francis Reeves Hong Kong, China 4:56.00 accepted
60-64 Women 1500m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Sheila Purves Hong Kong, China 5:58.00 accepted
70-74 Men 1500m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chi Cheung Fu Hong Kong, China NT accepted
55-59 Men 3000m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Mark Francis Reeves Hong Kong, China NT accepted
65-69 Women 3000m
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Fung Ling Lau Hong Kong, China NT accepted
35-39 Men 60m Hurdles
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chit Wing Ng Hong Kong, China 9.08 accepted
40-44 Men 60m Hurdles
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wei Lun Alan Cheung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Ka Yan Lo Hong Kong, China NT accepted
55-59 Women 60m Hurdles
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Cecilia Wah Sau Tse Hong Kong, China NT accepted
60-64 Men 60m Hurdles
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yau-Ming Max Siu Hong Kong, China 9.75 accepted
45-49 Women 3000m Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Mei Yi Cheung Hong Kong, China 22:21.59 accepted
Chun Ying Fu Hong Kong, China 20:00.00 accepted
50-54 Women 3000m Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Siu Yin Tse Hong Kong, China 22:21.59 accepted
55-59 Men 3000m Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Hak Ming Liu Hong Kong, China 18:00.00 accepted
55-59 Women 3000m Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Po Ngan Esther Wan Hong Kong, China 26:01.00 accepted
60-64 Men 3000m Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Kam Cheung Cheung Hong Kong, China 20:45.67 accepted
60-64 Women 3000m Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Oi Ha Chow Hong Kong, China 23:00.00 accepted
Yuk Kum Ma Hong Kong, China 25:00.00 accepted
Shui Fong Wong Hong Kong, China 22:52.00 accepted
70-74 Men 3000m Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Bill Purves Hong Kong, China 18:30.00 accepted
40-44 Men 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chi Wing Jason Fu Hong Kong, China NT accepted
40-44 Women 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yee Hung Chan Hong Kong, China 1:10:00.00 accepted
45-49 Women 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Mei Yi Cheung Hong Kong, China 1:18:30.00 accepted
Chun Ying Fu Hong Kong, China 1:10:50.00 accepted
50-54 Women 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chui Yi Ng Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Siu Yin Tse Hong Kong, China 1:17:56.00 accepted
55-59 Men 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wing Hin Daniel Cheung Hong Kong, China 59:00.00 accepted
Leong Wa Lau Hong Kong, China 1:04:52.00 accepted
Hak Ming Liu Hong Kong, China 1:18:30.00 accepted
55-59 Women 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Siu Mei Fung Hong Kong, China NT accepted
Siu Yin Kwan Hong Kong, China 1:03:00.00 accepted
Min Yee Michelle Lee Hong Kong, China 1:18:00.00 accepted
Wing Ding Ng Hong Kong, China 1:30:00.00 accepted
Po Ngan Esther Wan Hong Kong, China 1:27:00.00 accepted
60-64 Men 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Kam Cheung Cheung Hong Kong, China 1:13:45.67 accepted
60-64 Women 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Oi Ha Chow Hong Kong, China 1:14:00.00 accepted
Yuk Kum Ma Hong Kong, China 1:23:00.00 accepted
Shui Fong Wong Hong Kong, China NT accepted
65-69 Women 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yuk Yin Kwok Hong Kong, China 1:30:00.00 accepted
Fung Ling Lau Hong Kong, China NT accepted
70-74 Men 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Bill Purves Hong Kong, China 1:11:00.00 accepted
80-84 Men 10 km Race Walk
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Cho Fuk Tsang Hong Kong, China NT accepted
60-64 Women 8 km Cross Country
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Sheila Purves Hong Kong, China NT accepted
35-39 Men Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
David Woo Hong Kong, China 1:19:59.99 accepted
Phillip Lee Wright Hong Kong, China 1:20:00.00 accepted
40-44 Men Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Li Chan Hong Kong, China NT accepted
45-49 Men Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ray Sun Hong Kong, China 2:29:00.00 accepted
50-54 Men Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Michael Capper Hong Kong, China 1:18:34.62 accepted
Donny Hu Hong Kong, China NT accepted
55-59 Men Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
James Smith Hong Kong, China 1:31:40.00 accepted
55-59 Women Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yuk Ying Wong Hong Kong, China NT accepted
65-69 Men Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ting Hung Wu Hong Kong, China 2:15:00.00 accepted
65-69 Women Half Marathon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Fung Ling Lau Hong Kong, China NT accepted
35-39 Men High Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chit Wing Ng Hong Kong, China 1.84m accepted
Sui Wai Wong Hong Kong, China 1.75m accepted
40-44 Women High Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wing Yan Villian Wong Hong Kong, China 1.35m accepted
45-49 Men High Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wing Biu Kwong Hong Kong, China NM accepted
55-59 Men Pole Vault
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wai Ip Tse Hong Kong, China NM accepted
60-64 Men Pole Vault
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Kim Fai Tang Hong Kong, China 2.60m accepted
35-39 Men Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chit Wing Ng Hong Kong, China 6.36m accepted
Kai Ming Carl Tse Hong Kong, China 6.60m accepted
40-44 Men Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ka Yan Lo Hong Kong, China NM accepted
45-49 Men Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yau Ching Lay Yat Mou Hong Kong, China NM accepted
50-54 Men Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Tung Sing Jeffrey Lai Hong Kong, China 4.95m accepted
50-54 Women Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ka Yee Margaret Hung Hong Kong, China 4.07m accepted
Wai Lan Lung Hong Kong, China NM accepted
55-59 Men Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wai Ling Kung Hong Kong, China 6.00m accepted
55-59 Women Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Cecilia Wah Sau Tse Hong Kong, China 4.00m accepted
60-64 Men Long Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yau-Ming Max Siu Hong Kong, China 5.00m accepted
35-39 Men Triple Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ho Nung Marcus Mak Hong Kong, China 12.83m accepted
Kai Ming Carl Tse Hong Kong, China 13.01m accepted
45-49 Men Triple Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ka Fai Lee Hong Kong, China NM accepted
60-64 Men Triple Jump
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yau-Ming Max Siu Hong Kong, China 10.85m accepted
40-44 Women Shot Put
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chui Yi Annie Kwok Hong Kong, China NM accepted
45-49 Women Shot Put
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Pui Ling Lo Hong Kong, China NM accepted
55-59 Women Shot Put
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yin Mei Lai Hong Kong, China 7.16m accepted
Mei Ying Therry Wong Hong Kong, China 8.00m accepted
40-44 Women Discus Throw
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chun Chun Jane Yeung Hong Kong, China NM accepted
Yan Yan Annette Yeung Hong Kong, China NM accepted
45-49 Women Discus Throw
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ling Kuen Chan Hong Kong, China 23.70m accepted
55-59 Women Discus Throw
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Mei Ying Therry Wong Hong Kong, China 16.80m accepted
35-39 Men Javelin Throw
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Sui Wai Wong Hong Kong, China 37.50m accepted
50-54 Women Javelin Throw
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yuen Man Mandy Leung Hong Kong, China NM accepted
70-74 Men Javelin Throw
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chi Cheung Fu Hong Kong, China 19.97m accepted
35-39 Men Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chit Wing Ng Hong Kong, China NM accepted
Sui Wai Wong Hong Kong, China NM accepted
40-44 Women Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Chun Chun Jane Yeung Hong Kong, China NM accepted
Yan Yan Annette Yeung Hong Kong, China NM accepted
45-49 Men Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wing Biu Kwong Hong Kong, China NM accepted
Ka Fai Lee Hong Kong, China NM accepted
45-49 Women Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Ling Kuen Chan Hong Kong, China 3,000 accepted
Sau Ling Lam Hong Kong, China NM accepted
50-54 Men Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wai Kin Lam Hong Kong, China NM accepted
Wai Chuen Pon Hong Kong, China 3,000 accepted
50-54 Women Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Suet Yee Lok Hong Kong, China 3,000 accepted
Kit Yee Yuen Hong Kong, China NM accepted
55-59 Men Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Wai Ip Tse Hong Kong, China NM accepted
55-59 Women Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yin Mei Lai Hong Kong, China 2,000 accepted
Yin Yee Panny Wan Hong Kong, China NM accepted
Mei Ying Therry Wong Hong Kong, China 2,600 accepted
60-64 Men Pentathlon
Name Affiliation Mark Status
Yau-Ming Max Siu Hong Kong, China 3,300 accepted