Roald Bradstock took note of Peter Blank’s retirement from the M45 spear wars. It was the latest favorable news for Roald, whose 71.75 (235-4) throw last May is now listed as the official M45 world age-group record (even though Peter threw 77.15/253-1 nine days later). In any case, Roald is gearing up for 2008. His ultimate goal is competing in his seventh Olympic Trials (spread over the UK and USA). He says he’ll be 46 years and 70 days on the day of competition this June.

Roald also writes:

I had my first competition of the year on Saturday and I am now leading the World Masters (40+ ) Rankings for 2008. This is a link to the throw that is now posted on YouTube. . . . I am on target now to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Trials, which will be my 7th! . . . Stay tuned.

Roald has already achieved the “B” standard for the Eugene Olympic Trials, but if 24 throwers in America have better marks by June 15, Roald will have to watch from the sidelines. Only a toss of 77 meters (252-7) guarantees one a spot on the javelin field at Trials. But he was in the top 20 of U.S. throwers last year, so he’s got a good shot.
Just for reference sake, here’s the 2007 USA outdoor list in the javelin for everyone better than 70 meters:

91.29/299-6 AR 1 Breaux Greer adidas 6/21 Indianapolis
81.99/269-0 1 Mike Hazle Unat. 9/13 Huelva
77.24/253-5 1 Leigh Smith Unat. 4/15 Walnut
75.21/246-9 1 Tony Bonura Unat. 4/14 Slippery Rock
74.80/245-5 1 Shae Murray Unat. 6/6 Spokane
74.71/245-1 3 Justin St. Clair Unat. 6/21 Indianapolis
74.26/243-8 4 John Hetzendorf Unat. 6/21 Indianapolis
74.16/243-4 5 Barry Krammes Unat. 6/21 Indianapolis
74.10/243-1 6 Sean Furey Unat. 6/21 Indianapolis
73.87/242-4 1 Adam Montague North Carolina 5/26 Gainesville
73.85/242-3 8 Eric Brown Unat. 6/21 Indianapolis
73.58/241-5 1 Justin Ryncavage North Carolina 6/8 Sacramento
73.48/241-1 1 Ty Sevin Unat. 5/12 Lake Charles
73.09/239-9 1 Allen Pettner Penn State 5/13 University Park
73.06/239-8 1 Chad Radgowski LSU 5/12 Tuscaloosa
72.80/238-11 AJR Chris Hill McNeese State 6/6 Sacramento
72.54/238-0 2 Ryan Brandel Oregon 4/15 Walnut
72.28/237-2 1 Cody Fillinich NWn Louisiana 4/21 Fayetteville
72.06/236-5 1 Aris Borjas Cal Poly SLO 5/26 Eugene
72.02/236-3 1 Roald Bradstock Unat. 6/2 Atlanta
71.81/235-7 1 Paul Pisano ConnQuest 4/27 Philadelphia
71.75/235-4 2 Eric Brown Unat. 6/2 Provo
71.64/235-0 1 Bryan Clay Nike 4/7 Claremont
71.51/234-7 2 Pat McCormick CC Spokane 4/28 Spokane
71.04/233-1 1 Preston Chatham LSU 4/14 Tempe
71.01/233-0 2 Curtis Moss SE Louisiana 5/5 Nacogdoches
70.96/232-10 1 Andy Vogelsberg Emporia State 5/6 Hays
70.89/232-7 2 Matt Maloney Tennessee 5/12 Tuscaloosa
70.88/232-6 1 Scott Viafore Boise State 4/7 Pocatello
70.59/231-7 2 Andrew Smith Arizona State 5/12 Stanford
70.52/231-4 2 Ryan Weidman Bigfoot TC 6/6 Spokane
70.27/230-6 1 Joshua Kaehler Bucknell 5/5 Bethlehem
15 Rob Minnitti Unat. 6/21 Indianapolis

And if Roald happens to nail one at Hayward Field with the Olympic qualifying standard of 81.80 (268-4) and finish in the top three, it would be his third Olympics. He threw in 1984 and 1988 for Britain. We can dream, can’t we?