M100 Alfred Proksch, other supervets in Lahti photo gallery
Besides our respect, athletes over 90 also deserve masters awe. And all the attention we can muster. So check out this gallery, the latest in a series I’m rolling out. Alfred Proksch, a 1936 Olympian and 101-year-old thrower, attracted the most press. Documentary filmmaker Jan Tenhaven was all over him with his 11-member crew and $100,000 digital movie camera at Lahti worlds. And I was all over Jan, who asked a question on my behalf. (Speaking in German, Alfred said he wasn’t going to Sacramento worlds in 2011.) Alfred also is shown throwing the discus in this YouTube clip. Others in my latest gallery include 91-year-old hurdler Ilmari Koppinen of Finland, who said he wrote black gloves in case he fell. He also long-jumped.
Ilmari ran the 80-meter hurdles in 27.04. (Legal wind!) He raced the M85 kids.
The most impressive M90 was sprinter Ugo Sansonetti of Italy, who wore flats with part of the fronts cut out. (Check out his Coke commercial.) The cutest M90 was Argentine sprinter, jumper and distanceman Efrain Wachs, with his jaunty scarf and beret. And the top 90-year-old was Canada’s Olga Kotelko, who set eight world records at this meet.
Lesley Richardson applauds charismatic Efrain Wachs as he finished the 1500.
One Response
It is simply fantastic to see the depth in the 90s+ these days. I’m sure my dad Dudley Healy would have loved watching everyone run and throw in Finland this year. I can’t wait to see my old friends from national meets, and these great 90+ athletes, when the big meet comes to Sacramento.
I can’t think of any other type of sporting event that guarantees a smile on a spectator’s face quite like watching a meet with 90+ athletes.
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