Indian masters medalists can win mega-rupees at WMA meets
Yowza! Medal-winners at major WMA meets can earn paychecks — at least those from the northern Indian state of Haryana. According to the Times of India, “The government has also increased the cash awards for medallists in Asian Masters Athletics Championship and World Masters Athletic Championships. … The cash award for medal winners … has also been increased for gold medal from Rs 35,000 to Rs 70,000, silver from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 and bronze from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000.” Before you book your flight and apply for citizenship, be aware that the exchange rate is about 60 rupees to a dollar. So the payouts are about $1,200, $850 and $500. Anyone else offer moola for medals? In its early years, WAVA fought to include professionals (athletes excluded from IAAF competition by earning small stipends. Think Jim Thorpe and his lost Olympic medals.) Love the $$$ idea. Are you listening, USATF?
A W55 Indian hurdler (eventually DQ’d) at Lahti worlds would miss payday.
5 Responses
These are the same people who “select” the athletes they send to those champs, aren’t they? Seems to me they are missing a pretty fundamental point.
India hasn’t done much at the last 6 WMA meets I have been to. They have one male sprinter who is young who medaled I think in Finland. Not much else going on there.
Looks like me in my last hurdle race.
You can’t say that, Court. I own the trademark.
I “could” do that – but I would not do !
As I recall at the Nat Masters in Charlotte a few years ago – the infamous meet in the heat wave and thunderstorms – I recall seeing one or two “hurdlers” like that.
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