Hal Higdon challenges WMA dress code
Hal Higdon is a rarity — a masters athlete familiar to the running public. A veteran of many World Masters Outdoor Championships, Higdon is an author, artist and senior writer for Runner’s World — as well as a founder of the Road Runners Club of America. He’s a thoughtful M70 getting ready for his latest WMA meet. But this time he’s peeved. When Higdon runs the 2K steeple, 10K and 1500 in Puerto Rico, he’ll be doing so under protest — of WMA’s new uniform rules.
After an exchange of e-mail, I prevailed upon Hal to set down a bill of particulars. This is what he sent me:
What are the current rules that would require people to wear national uniforms at the World Masters Championships in Puerto Rico, and other international events? When David H. R. Pain got the masters movement rolling in the 1970s, he tried to discourage overt nationalism, which he felt was the bane of the Olympic movement. If you recall, many Africans boycotted the 1976 Games; the Americans boycotted the 1980 Games; and the Soviets boycotted the 1984 Games — and what purpose did it serve? Athletes from many countries did wear team uniforms at the first World Masters Championships in Toronto in 1975, and that was fine, but the rest of us were free to wear what we pleased, even if it was a T-shirt from a local 10-K race.
But now apparently, rules have been passed that would force us to conform. That’s the impression I get from reading National Masters News, although I’m not sure whether we will be barred from the track or merely disqualified if we appear for a heat of the 1500 meters in a 10-K T-shirt.
I can understand the need for team uniforms for those expecting to score in the cross-country or marathon races, where team competition is offered. In Brisbane, I wore a USA uniform in the marathon. But that singlet has faded, and I don’t particularly feel like spending money to buy a new one, or being forced to don the old one. Also, there is a question of security. Given the fact that the United States recently invaded Iraq, offending a number of people in the Muslim world and elsewhere, aren’t we as American athletes being forced to set ourself up as targets? And what of those Americans who disagreed with their President’s policy, as many did during the Vietnam War? Should they be forced to comply?
Seemingly not, if the Laws and Rules as posted on the WMA website on the subject of eligibility are followed. Section 12-a states: “All masters/veterans shall be eligible to compete in any masters athletics competition. No master/veteran shall be refused entry on ground of race, religion, politics, nationality or place of residence.” Does not the statement that athletes not be refused entry on the ground of “politics” make any additional rules that would force a dress code invalid? A good attorney would have a field day with that one.
So what will be the racing dress code in Carolina? I’ll bring my fading USA uniform with me to Puerto Rico to avoid being led away in handcuffs, but some runners might prefer having the freedom of choice. We seem to be getting away from the inspired principles of our founder David H. R. Pain.
Two years ago, Al Sheahen made similar comments when he noted the new uniform rules in his Brisbane meet critique, titled “Which Way, WMA?”
With indications that Emperor Torsten Carlius is pushing an Imperial Masters Association agenda at Puerto Rico, maybe a little revolt in the masters ranks would be appropriate. Anyone else gonna wear their old grubbies?
6 Responses
I understand the national uniform rule for team events, that suits me fine for team events. I have 3 “official” singlets now, from 1989, Euguene, from the one I wore in Buffalo in ’95, and the Insport blue thing – the least attractive of the lot. Perhaps I will rotate between the 3 for my other events, or even wear my club singlet. The Nike “offering” from their warehouse is an insult to American Masters, personally I hope no one buys that junk. Since the USATF came up with the mixed bag of grandfathered insport singlets and the Nike clearance sale, that certainly makes a mockery of “national” uniform doesn’t it. Perhaps for 2005 in Spain, Nike can dig even deeper into its warehouse and find another bunch of unsold USA olympic uniforms for the geezer group.
Personally I hold out little hope for the continuation of WMA. The dictatorial manner of Carlius is incredible. The masses should rise up and revolt.
Do not know of any occasion where an athlete has been denied participation at World masters championships for not wearing a team uniform.
Have participated in 4 World Championships, including WR-W50/4×100 relay, and have never worn a team uniform. My opinion: politics and capitalism should be banned from all games,esp masters.
For Puerto Rico, plan to make a fashion statement in the outfits specifically purchased for the games – that is if I can fit into them. Ha!
Lorraine Tucker
W55, Rapid Triathlete
The information posted on the NMN website regarding “uniforms” for Puerto Rico is extremely confusing.
Can someone please clarify:
1) What are the WMA rules regarding “uniforms?”
2) What are the Masters UST&F rules regarding “uniforms?”
3) As r.fast noted above, at least two completely different “USA” singlets have been designated as “official” uniforms for Puerto Rico. What does this do to the relays? Is there any separate rule requiring national relay teams to wear the same uniform at WMA Puerto Rico?
Perspiring minds want to know.
David E. Ortman (M50)
The new uniform rules were passed in Brisbane at the impetus of the Aussies. They extended the need to wear a team singlet from the relays and other team events to all events.
Fortunately, the motion that was passed was poorly worded. The intention was to compel Aussies to buy the national strip, but the actual wording only requires wearing a singlet approved by the national governing body of the country concerned. In Hong Kong, we have always taken care to organize real uniforms for the team events, but in other events we simply approve whatever people want to wear (within reason,I suppose).
Quick Silver
Hong Kong
I will not be wearing a usa uni, I will be dragged of the track kicking and screaming…I’ve paid my entry fees, air fares, lodging, and misc: expenses. I will wear what is comfortable for me. If there is an designated uniform it should be incorparated in the entry fees and there should be enough to go around…Not 1st come 1st serve!
The rule in question (I discovered only after contacting Suzy Hess of National Masters News) can be found by surfing into the WMA website. You click on “Laws and Rules” on the top logo. Then look to the left border and click on “Rules.” Scroll down to Section 8: “The Competition.” Sub-paragraph 4 states “In WMA Championships all competitors must wear a singlet or vest that is approved by their national masters/veterans body.”
I next contacted Sandy Pashkin as to what was meant by “approved.” Could I get the masters committee to approve a singlet of my choice, say one promoting “Hal Higdon’s V-Team?” Or if the singlet needed to say USA on it, how about: “Get USA out of Iraq?” Okay, I didn’t ask her that, but I might have.
Sandy referred me to a screen on the NMN website that showed uniforms for sale. But as my son Kevin (who also plans to run in Puerto Rico) discovered, not all of those uniforms offered were available in all sizes. He wondered in a separate email to USATF whether it was first come, first served to get a uniform that looked good and fit properly? Obviously, we Higdons are trouble-makers.
But there was also a comment in NMN that some older uniforms had been “grandfathered” in. No indication of which ones on the NMN site.
Later, I sent a link to a photo of me on my website finishing the marathon in Australia wearing a USA uniform to USATF. They said this uniform was acceptable and Sandy agreed.
So if I decide to wear that uniform and loan it to Kevin after I am through competing, presumably we will be able to avoid being disqualified. That is, as long as I am not tested for drugs. The Advair I use to control my asthma is on the IAAF’s banned list, and my doctor still hasn’t returned the document I sent him a week ago so I can use it without sanctions.
Life was simpler when David H. R. Pain was in charge.
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