Ya know how competing in nationals or worlds makes you feel as if you’re really being treated like a serious athlete? Think how Wolfgang Ritte and Christine Müller must have felt being honored alongside Usain Bolt and the other Olympic legends at the World Athletics Gala a week ago in Monaco. Ritte and Christine Müller are the IAAF Masters Athletes of the Year — and the masters site run by Robert and Annette Koop of Germany reported Wolfie’s reaction to being saluted at the IAAF shindig.

“The pole vaulter Wolfgang Ritte from Moers, Germany, was crowned World Masters Athlete 2008 during the world track and field gala in Monte Carlo,” say the Koops, translated by Stefan Waltermann. “Even Albert II, prince of Monaco, congratulated. Fittingly, Ritte received his medal from Yelena Isinbayeva, Olympic gold medal winner in the pole vault, and from pole vault legend Sergei Bubka. That was truly like being knighted.”
“This is crazy,” Ritte said. “Truly a Hollywood moment to shake hands with Prince Albert, get in a photo with Usain Bolt and get this kind of recognition by my peers.” Some 730 guests from around the world met in Monaco to honor their champions.
Stefan also notes: “By the way, the Rittes are a pole vaulting family. Wolfgang, wife Ute, as well as the children excell in the upper stratosphere.

Ritte is greeted, standing next to IAAF President Lamine Diack.