Help needed to finance masters exhibitions at Olympic Trials
Marilyn Mitchell writes from New York: “Several of us are trying to raise money in order to facilitate getting a stellar field of masters athletes to the Masters Invitational in Eugene, for the June 30th exhibition at the Olympic Trials competition. Unfortunately, except for the several people who had previously verbally indicated interest in helping, I have heard not one word from any of the active athletes nor from their friends, so I am thinking that perhaps the active athletes did not forward the message or perhaps people just do not have money to give. Bill Collins is very busy at the moment, but he is one of the people who is interested in helping with this effort and he has said that we may use his name and Robert Thomas is another individual who is helping more actively.”
Max Siegel ascends to CEO of USATF; supposed marketing genius
Marketing meister turns CEO
China’s hurdling icon Liu salutes masters after meeting Germans
The former world record holder and 2004 Olympic champion had some nice things to say about us a couple weeks ago. Writing in his IAAF diary, Liu Xiang said: “During my training period in Dusseldorf, Germany, in March, I observed four older people training over several days. They were full of vigor, always starting with warm-ups and sometimes I noticed that they even wore spike shoes for starting blocks and sprints. This seemed very professional to me. When I asked their ages I was surprised by what I heard. They told me they were each over 70 years of age, with the oldest person being 82-years-old! They used to be European Masters Champions and competitors and were in the midst of preparing for the World Masters Championships.”
Liu joins M35 age group in July 2018. He's not that far away, folks!
Flashback to 1984 Olympics with theme music for Finland fotos
Like a favorite rock melody of youth, the John Williams composition “Summon the Heroes” will always be associated in my mind with where I heard it first — as the fanfare for medal ceremonies at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. It has a powerful pull on my heart. So I was delighted to see it used as backdrop for a wonderful slide show of photos from Jyväskylä worlds. Rob Jerome created the 6-minute video, which is heavy on the jumps and special effects. But what a masterful depiction of our stars.
Viewers, to your marks! Penn TV arrives on masterstrack.com
So what is this PTV ad at the left? What’s a “Penn Relays Viewer”? Glad you asked! It’s a link to a Penn Relays video player, which includes clips from last year and now a press conference with some coaches from Wednesday. The video player will show official Penn Relays highlights and interviews, and I’m hopeful this includes the masters 4×1 and 4×4 relays and 100-meter exhibitions. Folks who want to watch Penn live April 26-28 can pay for video stream as well. I see 16 masters events scheduled a week from Friday and Saturday. Lots of old friends are listed, including Bill Collins and Charles Allie in the M60 100. Four years ago, Bill set the M55 WR of 11.44 at Penn. The mark he’s shooting for this time is the M60 WR of 11.70 by Britain’s Ronald Taylor. Godspeed, Bill!
Check out Penn Relays TV viewer by clicking here or on ad at the top left.
Stop the presses! National Masters News has thrower on cover
This caught my eye on Facebook. National Masters News says: “The May issue of National Masters News is now posted on-line along with the latest calendars. I am very happy that for the first time we were able to put a thrower on the cover. It is really hard to get good throwing shots, especially indoors. This is Tim Mullen, the M60 shot put champion.” Progress being made.
Sneak peek of NMN gives a shout out to all the throwers out there.
My new hero: M35 silver medalist Mensah Elliott of Gambia
Mensah leads at left in 2002 race before DQ.
Fox TV Atlanta reveals training secrets of world-class Dapranos
Beth Galvin of the Fox TV affiliate in Atlanta did a nice report the other day on one of the nicest all-star couples in our sport: W75 Jeanne and M85 Bill Daprano. She’s been grabbing the headlines lately, so it was great for Bill to get some attention. Their story has been told before — of two widowed people who discovered each other and became an athletic success story. But I love reading new things, especially about their training regimen. It’s hard core. Also loved Jeanne’s sense of humor: “Jeanne’s got four world records, including being the first 70-year-old women to break seven minute mile. She thinks it’s a sign God likes a strong woman. ‘I just think He’s laughing and rejoicing and saying, “This is what my temple needs to be like,” Jeanne said.” Check out the video!
Nolan Shaheed joins the 5K record party: M60 AR in 16:56.96
Nolan at work.
Of course, Nolan may have had pacing help at Pomona. As if he needed it.
Happy birthday to our happiest warrior: sprinter Pat Peterson
A subject of Racing Against the Clock reminds me that Patricia “Pat” Peterson, her colleague in cinema stardom, celebrates her birthday today, April 14. Pat’s age is top secret, but she was born in 1926, I’m told. So she’s four years away from aging up. But Pat doesn’t mind. She is our role model for embracing life — and masters track — amid all the challenges thrown at us. Hers includes crippling injuries and several bouts of cancer. Please join me in wishing her many more age groups to come.
Pat, shown at 2006 Superhot nationals, won't let age cool her off.
