Deadline near for chance at Helsinki worlds appearance
The IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, as previously announced, will stage a collection of masters exhibition events on August 13, 2005 — three for women and five for men. But the (new, improved) deadline for entering the qualifying meet is July 8. So check out the meet site for info. The new deadline (formerly July 1) is noted on the WMA home page.
The qualifying meet in Lahti, Finland, has an impressive name: 1st Masters Athletics Grand Prix. It will be held Aug. 10-12 at Lahti, about 60 miles from Helsinki.
The qualifying meet will have a pretty full slate of masters events, in all age groups, but the finals in these events will be contested in front of thousands at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, site of the 1952 Summer Games:
W35 400
W40 long jump
W70 100
M45 400
M50 javelin
M55 high jump
M60 100
M75 shot put
Obviously, most folks entering this meet are likely those who are taking a long European trip in preparation for the San Sebastian WMA world meet, which starts Aug. 22 and lasts through Sept. 3, 2005. One hopes that some high-quality masters athletes will take part on the world stage — lest we be thought ungrateful for the opportunity or, worse, not that great a group of geezerjocks.
Anyone entering the Lahti meet?
Post your presence here.
