The presidential election in World Masters Athletics isn’t the only hotly contested race at the General Assembly this month in San Sebastian. Four men are vying for the No. 2 post in WMA — executive vice president. The four are Ron Bell and Winston Thomas of Britain, Monty Hacker of South Africa, and Vadim Marshev of Russia. But an email exchange between Dieter Massin of Germany and Bell reflects some inside fighting over WMA’s aim to deep-six the non-stadia world championships (mainly devoted to road runs). This might impact the election, since Bell is the VP for non-stadia under whose watch the 2004 Auckland Non-Stadia event was a disaster.

These notes were sent between late July and August 7. Dieter Massin, BTW, is president of the European veterans association.
Hello, dear friends, dear colleagues,
I received Ron’s reply to my inquiry as to a report of the Auckland-Championships last year.
Sorry, but this is not the answer I expected and I demanded. As before I think that we all need a detailed analysis of these championships.
We all have to decide in San Sebastian about the continuation or the withdrawal. This decision is of fundamental importance for WMA and for the Regions. For that we all need more information.
I do express my extraordinary appreciation to the job of Peter Fenemor and his colleagues; without doubts. Anyway it is to mention that many beginner’s mistake were made which could be prevented (missing water stations, dirty and used water for the athletes, no showers, rough surface for the walkers’ races…)
For avoiding more circulating rumours before the Regional Assemblies it is e.g. important to know:
a) what is the comment / the meaning of the “Non-Stadia-Committee” about this withdrawal?
b) what is the comment of the “Non-Stadia-Committee” about these Auckland-Championships (as I know Lamberto Vacchi, Barbara Dunsford, Brian Keaveney and Charles Desjardins were there)?
c) who decided the extension of these championships to a fourteen days event [see WMA-Handbook, Constitution 8(b)]?
d) who decided the inclusion of the marathon in these championships [see WMA-Handbook, Rules of Competition 1 (4)]?
Sorry, I can’t agree with this form of report.
Kindly
Dieter
Dear Dieter
I have considered your email and have decided not to enter into an email war and will therefore discuss your comments in the appropriate place which is the WMA Council. Your behaviour in Auckland was quite despicable towards me and my partner and I view your email as nothing more than another personal attack on me and my credibility. By discussing the Non Stadia Report from Auckland in council you will still have the opportunity to disseminate information to your affiliates at your regional meeting.
Regards
Ron
Hello, Ron
I do regret your reaction (“war”) to my questions regarding the council proposal of the withdrawal of non stadia championships in the future. I am convinced to receive these replies on the occasion of the council meeting in San Sebastian.
Kindly
Dieter
Me again:
Here’s how WMA itself has described the 2004 Non-Stadia Championships in Auckland, New Zealand — and its plans to fold those events into the biennial stadia championships:
(The) VIIth World Masters Championships Non-Stadia in Manukau/Auckland, NZL, on April 18-24, 2004, were a great disappointment as regards the number of athletes. Only 448 athletes from 27 countries, of whom 196 athletes from New Zealand, entered these Championships that were planned for a great success. The LOC had strongly promoted the event at many masters Cham-pionships but for some reason or other athletes chose to stay away. The WMA Council has drawn the conclusion that the Non-Stadia Championships tend to become “local World Championships” and will so present a proposal to the San Sebastian General Assembly to remove the World Masters Championships Non-Stadia from the world programme and to allocate the Non-Stadia events to our Stadia and Indoor Championships. Vancouver, CAN, was awarded the 2006 World Masters Championships Non-Stadia but withdrew when the weak interest for the Championships was evident.