Day 6: Sprinters at worlds run wet and dry, modest and . . .
Dr. Stephen Peters of Britain won the M55 200 this afternoon at Lahti in 23.50 — into the slightest of headwinds. It was just off Bill Collins’ world record of 23.36. Steve quietly shook some hands, posed for a group shot, and left. Minutes later, Val Barnwell of the USA won the M50 200 in a slower 23.61. Val jogged back down the track, emoted before the American section of the stadium and soaked up the attention. Then after he sat down, a drug-testing official brought a clipboard and forms. Off to doping control for Val, who muttered something about Americans being targeted. So it went on another great day of sprint action, which included a brief rainshower during M70  Guido Mueller’s 200 victory.
M35 Mario Bonello of Malta tastes victory in 21.91 — in the final event of the day.
Val Barnwell takes the M50 deuce; teammate James Chinn gets fourth (left).
Val celebrates after his 200 victory at the main stadium in Lahti, Finland.
A doping-control officer signs Val up for urine tests at an office under the stands.
My favorite sprinter of the day was M90 Ugo Sansonetti of Italy, who burned a 39.90 and then complained about the headwind and how it robbed him of a better time. Now that’s an athlete. No complaints from Renee Henderson, who won the W45 200 in 25.33 with no wind, beating Phil Raschker’s American record of 25.56. (See this photo.)
WMA’s Web site, BTW, is tracking world records set at Lahti.
The stadium announcer went wild over Mario Bonello of Malta, winner of the M35 200, saying the tiny Mediterranean country had won its first gold medal (or maybe only medal) in WMA history.
The media’s favorite athlete was 101-year-old Austrian thrower Alfred Prosch, whose discus didn’t reach the grass but whose image will be part of worldwide wire photos and likely a German documentary by Jan Tenhaven.Â
M100 Alfred Prosch, the meet’s oldest athlete, threw the discus and shot.
A rare sight in WMA worlds and a sign of our aging athlete population.
15 Responses
Good job Renee. I love that 101 year old. How old was the oldest women?
I heard that American Lisa Daley won the w35 200.
Alfred is my hero! Just told his story and showed his pic to my 10 year old son and his 11 year old friend. Their agreed response was roughly “Wow- he is setting a very good example for other people!” They went on to say that they hope they are still doing sports when they are 100. Bless those youngsters- and oldsters, too!
Yes, Nolan, Lisa won W35 200m. She looked absolutely amazing. Charmaine Roberts was third in W40 200m, and Karl Hawke won M40 HJ.
US sprinters did very well yesterday. Almost all of them celebrated in a modest and tasteful way but a couple had to demonstrate to all that they are all ego. What will be next – unzipping the sprint suit and showing off their muscles?
Karl Hawke won by 2.5 inches. His jumps were amazing.
Coolest thing was at the medal ceremony kids asked for his autograph.
There will always be a display of differing personality in athletics. It is unavoidable, because we are all unique in our backgrounds, emotions and reactions to the external world. Two of my favorite athletes, Muhammad Ali and Cal Ripken, displayed emotional reaction to fans that were completely opposite. I enjoyed the style of both athletes. The reluctance of Cal to take his famous jog around an Orioles stadium of adoring fans, being literally pushed into it by his teammates, remains etched in my memory as though it happened yesterday. It was as important and as endearing a moment as baseball has ever known. The visual richness of Ali hovering menacingly over a fallen opponent, which was famously captured in a photograph, or clowning his way through an interview with Howard Cosell, declaring himself to be “the greatest” remains just as riveting for me.
If Val celebrates and engages the fans and Stephen Peters more closely emulates Cal, well that’s OK with me. Why must we choose a proper way to do it?
Improper reaction always brings the penalty of fan rejection. If the athlete is willing to pay that price, why do we worry so? Ali paid the price, and we are all richer.
Opinion of one.
“Our little lives are kept in equipoise by opposite attractions and desires.”
Henry Longfellow from ‘Haunted Houses’
Congrats to Val and others… they have all worked hard and deserve to celebrate. It is not easy to accomplish such feats as older runners. Jump, flip, roll over on the ground in the light of your celebration. It’s your day, enjoy it, for no one knows what tomorrow may bring!
Congratulations Renee on your World Championship and American record in the 200 meters. We’d like to claim this as a Philadelphia area world championship. I can see that running those 400 meter races really helps.
Congratulations to Val Barnwell. For as hard as he works he deserves to celebrate. As someone else commented everyone’s emotions are different. At a meet, which shall remain nameless, the officials had Val slated to run with 65 year olds. I would have loved to run in the same heat but Val stood up and said I’m preparing for the world championship and I need to run with competition. None of us complained as it was straightened out as he stood up for what was right. He later won the World Championship that year.
Ripken played baseball and Ali was a boxer. Two different sports and different etiquette in each. As a former professional baseball player, Ripken played the sport as it should be played and a lot of it has to do with showing up the other team/players. If you show someone up in baseball, you’re getting the next pitch in your ear.
Depending on the sport, one has to act like they’ve been there before.
I congratulate all athletes for accomplishments in their sport, but I have more respect for those that win with grace.
Wow there seems to be a misconception of the Val Barnwell photos . The first photo is Val waving at a Finn on the ski jump. The second is Val asking the crowd for help in finding his sweat pants. The third photo is Mr.Barnwell telling an official that autograph seekers will have to wait their turn.
I guess Lahti has seen USA’s “Hot Dog” salesman
Congrats to you, Val. You’re the man ! Your work has paid off tremendously ! Wish I was there. Good luck in the 400…Remember Brisbane and how you ran it then…..You can do it !
Its funny that back in Gateshead I tried really hard and won the 200 metres. After I won i left the track and was heavily criticised for not bowing to the crowd. After the 400 metres, having won I thought I’d better take a bow so I engaged the crowd. I was heavily criticised. Best to do what comes natural!
To be fair Ken, I though Val was having a bit of fun and the crowd certainly seemed to like it! Well done Val and thanks Ken, long may your website provoke us into thinking.
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