Olga goes overboard: Eight world records at Canadian meet!
No kidding. Olga Kotelko, who turned 90 on March 2, set 10 Canadian age-group records and eight world records last weekend at the two-day British Columbia Masters Championships in Nanaimo. Track results are here, and field event results are here. Meet maven Harold Morioka reported: “Olga broke five world records: 200 1:04.16 (-2.7 mps wind) old WR was 1:22.29 by little Rosario Iglesias MEX, who died recently; discus 14.58 (47-10), old WR was 12.10 by Ruth Frith AUS in 2000; hammer 13.31 (43-8), old WR was 13.13 by Ruth in 2004; javelin 13.31 (yes, same distance as the hammer!) old WR 10.97 by Juanita Brookover USA in 2005; weight 6.54 (21-5 1/2), old WR was 6.19 by Ruth in 2001. She set three new records in the jumps because there were no W90 records: high jump 0.75 (2-5 1/2); long jump 1.58 (5-2 1/4) (2.0 mps wind); and triple jump 3.93 (12-10 3/4) (1.7 mps wind). She set Canadian records in the 100 27.02 (-1.0) and shot put 4.96 (16-3 1.4).” OMG, Olga! You’re my new hero. The new Jesse Owens of masters track! Your efforts exceed the previous record for records set of seven by Don Pellmann in 2005.
Olga Kotelko (shown in 2002) made her W90 champs debut a smashing one.
For the record, USATF’s listed American record for the W90 200-meter dash is 70.99 by Zora Lux in 2005. Not sure why that wasn’t the listed world age-group record. But Olga’s 64.16 is astonishing.
3 Responses
What an inspiration! As a novice pentathlete I know it’s tiring to do five events, I can’t imagine doing all these extras.
It’s cool to think I might have 36 more years to compete!!!
Photo of Olga high jumping is by Douglas Smith of Ontario, I hasten to add. He provided the news tip as well. All praise to my Masters Mole of the Month!
Olga is truly inspiring, and a real dynamo! Imagine competing in events where no one at the age of 90 has competed before! That look of determination on her face that Doug has captured so well really shows what makes her so successful. We love you, Olga!
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