Porto Alegre changes dates for 2013 WMA world championships
After weeks of “sensitive negotiations,” organizers of the 2013 world masters outdoor championships in Porto Alegre, Brazil, have settled on new dates for the meet. Originally, the meet was set for July 24 to August 4. The new dates are October 15-27, I’m told. A source inside World Masters Athletics writes: “Finally we have a resolution in the track upgrading. The government is totally renewing a facility (known as CETE) and this work has now commenced and is due to be completed in June 2013. Apart from the track, there is a sports academy being built at the venue that will provide great future facilities for the city and very good facilities for the WMA Championships. There is still no final decision in doing up a further venue with a new track but that is expected to be known no later than February.” This also avoids a head-to-head fight with the World Masters Games in Turin, Italy, set for August 2013. Here’s an old promo for Porto Alegre:
12 Responses
Not great news for those of us who are teachers. I’m praying somethings work out between now and then to allow my participation. I may have to take a stronger look at Turin instead.
This will cut down on US and European participation even more because of the timing.
Regarding Turin, give it a very close look before entering. I was told by a European competitor in Sacramento that track and field is not actually in Turin. It is far away in a very small town. He said few Europeans he knows plan to enter.
Jerry, a very simple internet search would have found you this: http://www.torino2013wmg.org/sport/athletics The venue is described as being in the suburbs of Turin. Fine by me. WMA2011 took place well out from the center of Sacramento, and if you recall Riccione in 2007, much of it was held in different towns completely.
As to the opinion of your European friend, no, I don’t know many European Masters who have decided to enter, but then I know even fewer who had already definitely decided to go to Brazil. Come to think of it, I don’t know that many who have yet decided to race in our national championships this summer, or even in an indoor meet coming up in a few months from now. You’re welcome to quote me on that on an international Masters t&f web site if you wish.
Please don’t fall into that all so common trap of thinking WMG and WMA are the same thing or interchangeable. WMA has nothing to fear from the track element of WMG provided that it manages to find venues athletes will actually be prepared to go to, which have facilities that actually exist. It was clear Porto Allegre didn’t when its bid was rejected in 2007. It has always been a mystery to me what changed over the next two tears, other than the strength of Brazil’s marketing.
The 2013 date change might sound good news to some, but like many others, I suspect, I want rather more persuasive proof of their ability to deliver a championships, before I’ll even start thinking about attending. And that is an issue that, after the shortcomings of several recent championships, WMA needs to tackle.
There were not many questions asked when the bid from Porto Allegre was accepted.
http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/files/reports/WMA_Lahti_GA_Minutes_Final_Adobe.pdf
A change of date for Brazil means that I’ll run the USATF Nationals in Olathe(with an ‘a’ instead of two ‘Es’). “Gee, Tex, THAT’S exciting news for all of your groupies.” Yeah, what can I say? Smartty
Good news in terms of competing dates as Smartty points out. But no so good news in terms of temperatures for the longer events as it will be pretty warm in mid October in that part of the world – but not hot. Actually it is a nice time of year to visit Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay as well if one is in the sightseeing mode. But fall dates certainly knock out many possible competitors and the change of date because of incomplete venues makes me suspicious of the whole deal. T
I surely would hold off making any plans that involve non-refundable deposits until it is certain that the meet will actually happen and that the venues will really exist and the meet will be reasonably organized. As for why Brazil got the bid – can you say – former Pres of WMA’s wife was Brazilian and he lived half the year in Brazil. Their first bid was just a bunch of tourist brochures with nothing about venues, the second bid was better but apparently full of holes that have yet to be patched. And as of now – for US Citizens to get a visa – one needs to plan months in advance and to a consulate – to pay lots of $$$ – and you need to have already bought your ticket – tit for tat for what the USA does to Brazilian citizens wanting to visit the USA. And it is very late in the game for WMA to look for a substitute venue for 2013 is the Porto Alegre party falls apart.
RE the WMG in Turin. I love Italy and all things Italian but after Riccione – where I had a great time but did not love the not very reliable transportation to venues way out side of town and siesta breaks when the buses did not run at all. I am crossing that meet off my list.
As mentioned on this blog before – there are a couple of interesting masters meets in the US the summer of 2013 – NSG in Cleveland and National Masters in Olathe, KS. It may be the summer to stay in the USA and support these meets.
So I wonder what is the back-up plan? Maybe with the experience Sacramento gained in 2011 it could run a really good 2013 meet? Get ready to go to Europe for the 2013 meet is my best guess.
hmmmm….not liking what I am hearing here about the 2013 WMA and WMG – as I will still be competing in the M40 age division and will not be able to compete in the NSG, looks like I might have a light travel schedule in 2013 and that is disappointing. Will transportation in Turin really be that unreliable? Will they not even make an effort to shore that up for the 2 weeks that the games take place?
I agree with Jerry that the date change makes the Nationals more doable in 2013. After running in Sacramento, I can’t imagine missing the worlds if I can possibly go. The National meet is a great meet with many very good competitors, but the level of competition at the worlds is truly amazing. I watched world record holders loose to people I never heard of. I plan to train hard and to be ready for the worlds, as this is the signature event for Masters Track. I have never been to South America, so this will be a good opportunity to see a different part of the world and different culture. I was bit concerned that it would be too cold in July in Brazil, so warmer is better for me as far enjoying the trip.
Mary, 2011 EMG Lignano handled the transportation side very efficiently. I would then expect 2013 WMG Torino to be equally successful.
Lets see. The choice is Olathe, Kansas or Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Hmmm, how shall I put this….
Small towns in Italy are no problem. Rieti is a good example, and they hold a superb IAAF level meet in September.
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