The 2016 IAAF indoor world meet in Portland will boast “more than two” masters exhibition events. That’s one of many revelations in the Lyon General Assembly handbook I’ve been coveting. (See it here.) In the wake of my recent tantrum, I obtained a copy of the biennial book, which contains the proposed WMA Constitution and bylaws. The PDF came from outside WMA — after I was told a digital version wasn’t available. The documents were approved as published, I’m told. No amendments. But at least we see progress from Monaco HQ (newly designated). Among the highlights: 16-year term limits for top council officers and 12-year limits for regional delegates to the council. So no more forever officers. Also remarkable: The Constitution uses the word “website” for the first time. And a Media-Marketing and Communications Committee is being created. I also sense that the president’s powers will grow exponentially. Also: Starting in late 2016, WMA will have a single vice president for competitions — not one for stadia and another for nonstadia. That person will be elected at the Perth 2016 General Assembly, along with an executive vice president and secretary.

The presidential election will occur in 2018, when treasurer and women’s rep also will be chosen. Lots of juicy reports are here as well.

WMA is getting even tougher on athletes suspended for doping violations:

Masters Athletes convicted of a first offence relating to the improper use of prohibited substances shall not automatically be reinstated at the end of their 2-year suspension period until they have made themselves available for out-of-competition testing by the Anti- Doping & Medical Committee or other competent testing authority approved by the Anti-Doping & Medical Committee. Any testing shall be at the athlete’s cost and the athlete shall provide information on their whereabouts to the Anti-Doping & Medical Committee or the testing authority for this purpose.

President Stan Perkins, VP-Stadia Serge Beckers, Secretary Winston Thomas and Treasurer Jean Thomas offer tough and honest reports.

Several basically say that the 2013 Porto Alegre world meet was the worst in WMA history. Brazilian elections screwed things up, and tracks were barely ready in time.

Stan wrote:

The failure to undertake venue upgrades and deferred decisions resulted in a frantic last minute effort to have the venues ready for the championships to commence. Added to this had been administration disruptions and management issues within the LOC that at times threatened the actual conduct of the championship. These eventually led to overspending and poor financial management, resulting in a major shortfall of funding.

Serge was more blunt:

My preparation of these Stadia events of the Championships started in 2010, when I first visited Porto Alegre. A lot was promised, but never the disappointment was greater than in the bad outcome of these promises. The recommendations and remarks I made on stadia matters during my visit in November 2010 have never been met.

Budapest also got slammed in the wake of hosting 2014 indoor worlds.

The financials have still not been completed to the Treasurer’s satisfaction, with monies still owing to some 10 affiliates for their entry administration fees. There has also been no financial report submitted, nor has WMA received the final results or the overall championship report. This has been a disappointing outcome from what was a relatively well organised, conducted and managed championship. The Hungarian Federation has indicated they will attend to the outstanding matters in the next few months.

But Perth 2016 faces a space crunch, we learn:

Planning for this event has been impacted by government elections, with the proposed (and guaranteed) new track not being constructed. Instead the event will take place on two tracks with new surfaces being installed at both facilities. Probably the strongest financial support by any previous government host has been secured for this competition that is targeting 5,000 athletes. Planning is now well underway. A visit in 2015 by the WMA Championships team will ensure that planning is on target.

Winston read the riot act about competing masters federations in Sri Lanka, India and Argentina:

I would like to make very clear the position of three affiliations. Asia, the Sri Lanka Affiliate is Masters Athletics Sri Lanka (MASL). India [is] Masters Athletics Federation India (MAFI) [led by] David Premnath Secretary. South America, [it is] Confederación Atletas Veteranos De La República Argentina (CAVRA) [led by] Julio Martino. It is very important that all regions and affiliates acknowledge these affiliates and do not allow athletes that are not registered with them to compete in their competitions.

In other words, athletes who are members of masters groups outside those named won’t be able to enter worlds. I’ve written about this mess many times, including recently about three federations in India.

Fortunately, WMA finances are in far better shape than two years ago. See the handbook for details.

And finally, Prez Stan says it’s time for WMA to hire someone to help with chores:

I have no doubt that it will not be too long before WMA has to face the real possibility of engaging some paid professional assistance to meet its obligations.

He and others on the council gave signs of being exhausted. It’s supposed to be a volunteer gig, but they are finding themselves working nonstop on WMA affairs. Duly noted.