Masters Mole No. 3225b sent me the rootin-tootin’ General Assembly handbook for Sacramento worlds, which includes eye-opening council reports and an audit of WMA finances (saying the council traveled too much in 2010 and lost $91,000). See it here. Lots to discuss, including WMA plans to hold the world outdoor track meet in 2016 as well as 2015 (in order to transition to even-year stadia championships and avoid bumping up against World Masters Games meets). WMA also is pressuring IAAF to dump its nonsensical rule that masters distance running starts at 40 while masters track starts at 35. Several WMA honchos also apologize for the lousy WMA website and call for a better one (and also urge the regions to launch their own websites. Ours has none.)

Serge Beckers (left) raps Rex Harvey, his predecessor, in WMA report but could lose his vice president gig under proposed new WMA Constitution.

Some other revealing notes:

WMA Stadia VP Serge Beckers wrote:

The transition of the Old Council to the New Council after the elections was all but smooth. Certainly in the domain of the Stadia Chair. Although my predecessor had proven his capability and experience during his eight year period, it is a pity that so little, or almost nothing, was passed on for the future. This already weighed as a big burden on my work and responsibility in the past two years.

This is a knock on Rex Harvey, the previous VP-Stadia, who lost the presidency election to Stan Perkins by a single vote. Ironically, a proposal to revise the WMA Constitution includes a severe downsizing of the WMA Council. Under the new regime, the number of regional reps would be severely limited, and the VP-Stadia and VP-Non-Stadia would be combined into one office. So Serge has a 50-50 chance of surviving.

Even though the world outdoor meet would be held two years in a row, the world indoor meet would have a three-year gap:

This change of year is included in the new Constitution. To effectively achieve this change it is proposed that the Stadia Championships be held in 2015 as per normal procedure, but that the next Stadia Championships be held in 2016 and from then on each even year (2018 – 2020). This will mean that the indoors championships will be held in 2014 but then not until 2017, a three year gap. Regional Championships will also be held in 2014 and then in 2017.

And Mexico posed a problem I didn’t know about until today:

That following protracted discussions in 2009 and 2010 on the 6th December 2010, WMA had to officially revoke the affiliation of (Mexico) the Federacion Mexicana de Atletas Masters (FMAM) and appoint a new body under the auspice of the National IAAF Federations (FMA). The new body being Mexicana Masters Atletas Commission (MMAC) who are now the only recognized master association in Mexico. Finally it is still important that when there are changes within affiliates, the information is also sent to the WMA Secretary as well as the Regional Secretary.

But good news on India’s warring affiilates (which effectively barred some Indian athletes from competing in worlds):

In India a problem that had been ongoing for some years was resolved after meetings conducted during the Asian Regional Championships in Kuala Lumpur. Two organizations had each claimed the right to affiliation but the claims of one group has been refused. This result was achieved in time for entries to the current Stadia Championships to be processed in a proper manner.

I don’t yet know which side won. Hope it’s not the one where athletes were expected to pay-to-play.

And among several bye-laws changes, the U.S. delegation proposes that WMA contest world championships in cross country, 5K, 10K and marathon as “stand-alone” events that can exploit the monster numbers of masters roadies out there.

That the WMA Council with input from the Non Stadia Committee, shall appoint a Road Racing Commission/ Task Force forthwith to explore and to present to the Council a bid procedure for establishing ‘stand alone’ championships in the various non stadia distances, including but not limited to cross country, 5km, 10km, half-marathon and marathon and it is further resolved;

3. That the Road Racing Commission/Task Force shall comprise of administrators with successful experience in developing and overseeing stand alone championships and race directors who have successfully staged such championships; and it is further resolved

4. That the Commission/Task Force report to WMA Council in a timely fashion; and it is further resolved;

5. That once the WMA Council adopts the bid process, that the championship bid selection commence immediately and it is further resolved;

6. That this proposal is not intended to impose any new and additional requirements on LOC’s for championships already awarded to them.

Reason: WHEREAS, most masters runners throughout the world are long distance runners, as evidenced by the large numbers of participants in such events as the ING New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon, London Marathon and other similar events; and WHEREAS, WMA does not currently have any ‘stand alone’ non stadia or long distance championships, except for the cross country, half-marathon and marathon in its current stadia championships; and WHEREAS, road racing has become enormously popular and each year road races sell out faster and faster, and in the mega races, sell out in hours, while track and field remains fairly constant, therefore making joint championships not an appropriate or the best solution.

Good idea, Yanks. Hope it passes.