Spokane alone in the running for 2008 masters nationals
In response to my queries, two nice folks have identified at least two cities hoping to host the 2008 national masters championships. Spokane, Washington, is bidding for the outdoor nationals and Boston (again) wants the indoor nationals. In fact, a lady involved with the Spokane bid sent a note to one of my sources offering “a small gift.” Wow! Shades of Salt Lake City (hahaha).
Deana McClenny, office manager of the Spokane Regional Sports Commission, sent this note to one of my sources in USATF masters leadership:
“I am with the Spokane Regional Sports Commission. We are looking to host the 2008 USATF Masters Track & Field Championships here in Spokane, Washington. We were wondering if you would be willing to give your mailing address as we would like to send you a small gift as well as a hospitality invitation for this December in Jacksonville. Also, George Matthews said you would be able to provide us with the names and addresses of last year’s active athletes. We appreciate the information, and look forward to seeing you later this year!”
Spokane’s bid is the only one for the outdoor nationals — and probably will stay that way. A potential second bidder dropped out, according to Andy Martin, USATF Grass Roots chief, who wrote me:
“There was a 2nd city interested in the Outdoor Championships but unfortunately their facility personnel are not available the first weekend of August in 2008 due to the Olympic Games.”
Spokane has been through this drill before, BTW. Spokane hosted the 1992 and 1996 USATF masters outdoor nationals. In fact, a milestone study of women in masters track was done at the 1996 Spokane nationals.
Spokane’s tourism site is pretty spiffy, but the main draw will be the meet. Seattle, BTW, is a long drive west — about 230 miles, according to this chart.
Since 2007 nationals will be in Orono, Maine (following the 2006 nationals in Charlotte), Spokane would give more Left Coasters a chance to compete in nationals.
I haven’t heard anything bad about the 1992 and 1996 meets, so I guess the Olympic year nationals will be in Washington state.
A strange/sad postscript:
Two members of the USATF Masters T&F Executive Committee told me they didn’t know who the 2008 bidders were, with one writing me: “I’m not part of the inner circle…. Doubt if it will come up at the Executive Committee Meeting, so I’ll find out at the Masters General Meeting along with everyone else.”
Not part of the inner circle! And this from someone elected to office.
I guess it’s on a need-to-know basis.
One Response
Seems more than fair to me – one on the right coast and one on the left coast -tough on those who live in the middle – but not all can be satisfied. However I am not happy to learn that there is an “inner inner circle” of the blessed with information. But that does not surprise me, Our Dear Leader in charge of masters has a lovely habit of ignoring those whom he does not know his eyes cast elsewhere, attention paid to someone else – not looking at the peons while talking to himself and the blessed few at the laughable athletes meetings held at the national masters track meets. That he holds such sacred information close to his vest – no big surprise. After all democracy is for peasants, not for the big fish in the little rain drop.
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