Kathy Jager makes return to WMA competition
Don’t blame Kathy Jager for having some extra zip this coming week. After what’s she’s been through, the Arizona nurse deserves to show off. In August 1999, W55 Jager was the toast of the Gateshead WAVA meet after winning a fistful of sprint medals and maintaining her dignity despite idiotic accusations that she was a he. Less than a year later, she was toast — banned after testing positive for a doctor-prescribed medicine to treat symptoms of menopause. Now she’s back, having served out her two-year IAAF suspension. And in the W60 sprints, she’ll be a favorite for more hardware.
At the WMA World Masters Championships in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Jager will be among the youngest in her age group, having turned 60 on June 26. She’s entered in the 100 (14.20 seed time), 200 (31.50), discus (24.39) long jump (3.81) and pole vault (2.43) — and likely in some relays as well.
Kathy’s strongest competition will come from Edith Graff of Belgium and Martha Behrendt of Germany in the 100 and from Magdalena Tomlinson of South Africa, Noreen Parrish of Australia and fellow American Kemisole Solwazi in the 200. With only four entrants, Jager should easily win the pole vault.
Because of the IAAF ban, Kathy was kept from competing at the 2001 world WMA meet in Brisbane, Australia. But with the cloud lifted and the clock advanced, Kathy is aiming to show the world what she can do under what she calls her “own womanpower.”
Godspeed, Kathy Jager.
One Response
Amen, Godspeed to Kathy Jager. She deserves the support of all athletes. I hope to hear that the Australian woman who started that mess will apologize in person to Kathy.
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