Memo to Stan Perkins: WMA site needs to expedite big news
Stan Perkins
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On May 1, 2010, masters tracksters around the world begin observing new rules of the game. For example: Some age groups will throw new weights. The decisions were made more than four months ago at the Lahti General Assembly (which I summarized in my original report). But only this week did WMA think to share the new rules officially. See details here. At this rate, it’ll be March when WMA posts its Masters Athletes of the Year. Given that new President Stan Perkins promised in my interview to make the WMA Web site more relevant, this delayed posting is dismaying. In July, Stan told me: “I think it is fair to say that the WMA website has been disappointing in that it has not been regularly updated, not just from a WMA perspective but also by the regions who each have allocated space within the website. . . . Getting the right person with the dedication and drive to make this website an effective information and marketing source will be one of my key objectives when I am elected as president.” Nice sentiments, Stan! Now make them happen!
Here’s the WMA post, in case somebody pulls the plug:
WMA Changes in Rules of Competition
Weight for W75+ shot and hammer reduced to 2 kg.
Weight for W75+ discus reduced to 0.75 kg.
Wight for W75+ weigh reduced to 4 kg.
M80+ Long hurdles reduced to 200m hurdle with 5 hurdles.
W70+ Long hurdles reduced to 200m hurdle with 5 hurdles. Already in operation from June 2008
M60-69 Hurdles Indoor and Outdoor, changed to 12.00m to the 1st hurdle and 16.00m from the last hurdle to the finish
M 60-69 100m-60m Height Distance Distance Distance to the hurdles to 1st Hurdle in-between finish 84,0 cm 12.00m 8.00m 16.00m
Rule 116 Establishment of a WMA Race walk Panel
The panel shall consist of: Race Walk judges selected and approved by WMA VP non-stadia
Experienced race walk judges in Masters Athletics from a variety of countries
All judges will serve a probationary period before final approval as a WMA race walk Judge.
A list of approved WMA race walk Judges will be placed on the WMA Website.All WMA race walking championship judges shall only be those approved by the Non-Stadia VP no later than one month prior to the championship.
The updated 2010 WMA Age Grading tables as on the WMA website will be effective from May 1, 2010.
These rules will be implemented from the 1st May 2010, as specified in the WMA Rule of Competition, 100 (100-3)
20 Responses
The website is pretty much good for not much of anything. Not only is information late in being published, but the photo gallery is a joke. The latest photos are from 2008 (hello is it November 2009) and most of the photos are little more than PR shots. Why bother with that- unless of course the photo gallery is just a PR thing for the big shots of WMA. OH – yes of course – how silly of me to think it should showcase the athletes.
I guess changing the weight for hammer,shot
put,and discus means we have to buy the new
weights? And what happens if we don’t? Will
we still be scored with our old weights?I;m
not sure I would like something lighter so
do we have an option? If anyone has an answer,
I would appreciate it.I do the weight pentathlon
besides open competition for Masters and Senior
Games.
Phyllis Provost
P.S.
And where do you buy those lesser weights?
I have a track and field catalog and I don’t
see any of those weights listed/except for
a training discus.
Again,
Phyllis Provost
Phyllis, you can find a 2kg shot and a .75 discus online at http://www.marchants.com. I think they specialize in high school equipment, so I didn’t see a hammer. Their phone # is 877-439-9400.
You can find 2K training hammers at ontrackandfield.com (iron) and jumpstartathletics.com (Polanik steel).
Michael V.
Phyllis-great question about using you current implements. I’m in the 50-59 age group and always wondered where the discus throwers found their higher end disc’s. I beileve most of them are throwing the high school discus, which is slightly heavier (1.6k)than the 1.5k age group weight. I’d think as long as your impements weigh in over the minimum weight requirement, you could still use them. Of course, you’d be at a disadvantage if other competitors were all throwing lighter weights.
Appendix A of the WMA rules of Competition shows a minimum and maximum range for all implement specs. Unfortunately the information for the discus is not complete.
Thank-you,Liz,Michael,Kenneth;didn’t know I’d
get such prompt answers.
Our first meets’ down here in the Dallas area
will begin in April so if I need new implements
I need to get them soon.I;m not exactly a “little
old lady” so don’t know why I need to change.
But,on the other hand,I guess I might throw
farther;if that’s possible;and would like to.
I would like to get a little more info on the
rules from officials or rule book.I’ll work on
that.
Thanks again,
Phyllis Provost
Phyllis, I was there at the meeting in Lahti, when they voted for the lighter implements. And honestly, I cheered (inside me) for the break.
No, we are not ” little old ladies” we are just “little OLDER – very mature – ladies” join me in believing that. Do I hear an Amen!
NOW TO THE IMPLEMENTS, the rule will not go in effect until May. Will find out more about it at the convention in a few weeks.
I WAS SO SMART, I bought a 2 kg shot and a 0.75 kg discus in Lahti, they were so inexpensive, I even bargained a bit, hopefully, they will weigh -in… my husband just asked me: how are you getting those “things” thru custom – no problem.
There are a few more Companies, that will now carry the new implements. If not,
come to my meet and I will share with you? Are you 75 yet??? smile.
Let me assure you, after you throw the 2 kg shot.
for a while, it will feel like a 3 kg, you will get further in the beginning – hopefully – and then – standstill (referring to the little old… etc.
By the way – for all athletes that were not in Lahti at the Delegates Meeting. You have no idea what all was requested to be changed as far as rules and implements go…. luckily, we did dnot wind up with having “sunbathing or needlepoint”
replacing certain events (for older people) ha-ha.
Happy Thanksgiving – and yes, the new implements will work for us.
To all: forgot one thing:
take your outdated/ out-aged implements to a meet and sell them. As long as they still weigh – in.
There are always athletes in a new age group who need an implement and are happy to save some money and the shipping.
Thanks Phyllis, for your nice and informative letter.
Good luck for 2010, yes, both our birthdays are
in January, I forgot that.
BUT, would you please not mention 800 m or 1500..
What’s the saying: when the going gets tough the sprinters stop.
Christel
I don’t think you can use heavier implements. For example, the high school discus has different dimensions than the 1.5 kg discus and would not meet size specs. I suspect that the new weights would present similar problems.
I’ve never seen a 50-59 year old throw the high school discus in competition, and 1.5kg implements are available all over the internet.
Also, I believe Tom Fahey is correct about not being “allowed” to throw the heavier implements.
Meanwhile, getting back to Ken’s original comment about the WMA web site, and Mary’s comments. I agree. I hope Stan Perkins reads this stuff. WMA has no excuse to continue the seriously dreadful web site it currently perpetuates. It’s not as if there’s any shortage of really good material portraying Masters in action, is it?
Look how well WMG Sydney was visually portrayed – loads of videos posted quickly, images appearing in the world’s media within hours, etc and….Oh damn, I just forgot – that was WMG, not WMA, wasn’t it?
Thanks Tom for getting this topic back on track. Question is:
1. What is the WMA plan for the website?
2. Who is responsible for the WMA website?
3. What does he/she get in compensation for working on the WMA website?
Answer those questions and we will know whether or not we can start making demands.
Site needs some updating. Even the late, great Bob Fine is still listed on the site, with complete contact information for Bob, no less. Perhaps the WMA is short of staff in this area; does anyone know?
As of this writing, WMA lists no major WMA meets for 2010:
http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/championships/2010
the WMA website is pitiful – but then perhaps it is a perfect reflection of the organization itself.
Careful, Mary. Athletes have been banned for less! The site is just typical of an organisation that appears to believe the web is nothing but a passing phenomenon, and that reality will be resumed shortly.
Yes Mary. Shame on you.
Expect a letter from WMA Secretary/former BMAF Chairman Winston Thomas:
“Dear Mary. I have now tired of your constant public criticism. If you do not apologise within 12 days, I will suspend you, unconditionally without hearing or appeal, from all masters competition for one year for Bringing the Sport into Disrepute.”
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