masterstrack.com

I'm not eligible for this competition for five more years but while looking through masters information on the USATF website a question popped into my head. To compete at the world championships when they roll around... do you have to have a qualifying mark for that competition? I know you guys told me that for the U.S. Championship Meet you don't have to have a qualifying mark but I was wondering if you had to for the world meet.

Just a side question. If you don't need a qualifying mark, how can a person be declined for the meet. I've seen some people have declined in their statjus category and was wondering how you can be declined if no qualifying mark is necessary.

Again, thanks for the information.

I thought they eliminated by running heats.

I've never competed at the World's, but I'd guess a declined entry would be due to a late entry, or some issue with the governing track body of that athlete's nation.

There is a qualifying mark: money!

Attending these meets has become very expensive. I'm flying to Bologna on Thursday, arrive late Friday, stay four nights in Missano, then leaving on Tuesday. My long weekend will cost about $3000 by the time I pay for airfare, car (small deathtrap), hotel, food, USA warm-up suit, meet entry, and drinks (good wine in Italy). The costs are much more for athletes competing for two weeks.

If I don't make the finals, the cost will be $1000 per throw. That's almost as expensive as some of the fish (per fish cost) I caught this summer.

It would be nice if we could have a meet closer to home. Finland and Brazil will cost more than Riccioni.