Anyone who competes in a world masters meet has a story to tell that rivals “The Odyssey” by Homer. If I could interview some of the sung and unsung USA athletes, for example, I might start with Louise Adams, 81, who won the 800, 1500, 5000 and 8K cross country race. I’d ask: “What motivates you to keep a-going with so little competition in your age group?”

Of M100 phenom Waldo McBurney, a beekeeper from Kansas, I’d ask: “You just became the most decorated centenarian in masters world championship history by winning the 100, 5K racewalk and shot put. But Everett Hosack, one of your only potential opponents, stayed home in Ohio on doctor’s orders. Any chance we’ll finally see you guys lock horns in 2005 San Sebastian — when you are 102 and Everett is 103?”
Of M40 pole vaulter Kenneth Bayless, I’d ask: “Did you make a mistake by starting at 4.0 (13-1 1/2) and thus no-heighting in your only event?”
Of M45 pole vaulter Robert Crites: The exact same question.
Of M60 walker Don Denoon, I’d ask: “Did you expect to win both the 5K and 20K events?”
Of M70 walker Jack Bray: The exact same question.
Of W70 thrower and jumper Gloria Bortell, I’d ask: “How frustrating was it to finish fourth in four events — the long jump, triple jump, hammer and shot — and come away with no medals? Did your silver in the javelin make up for it?”
Of M50 sprinter Bill Collins, I’d ask: “You won the M50 100 and 200. What led you to be the only one of 34 entered sprinters listed DNS (did not start) in the 400 meters?”
Of W75 multi-event start Leonore McDaniels, I’d ask: “You won the long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault — some bettering listed WMA world records. But you took fourth in the 100. What’s it like to lose?”
Of M60 mult-event star Emil Pawlik, I’d ask: “You won the decathlon with an impressive 7,925 points. How much ibuprofen did you consume and how many massages did you get so you could follow that two-day ordeal by competing in the 100 hurdles (silver), 300 hurdles (sixth), long jump (bronze) and high jump (bronze)?”
Of W75 multi-eventer Johnnye Valien, I’d ask: Almost the exact same question. (She took bronze in the heptathlon and followed that with silvers in the 80-meter hurdles, long jump, triple jump and pole vault, bronze in the 200, and also finished high in the 100, high jump and shot put.) Added question: How about you an Emil going head-to-head someday?”
Of W75 sprinter Pat Peterson, I’d ask: “Did taking second in the 100 and 200 and third in the 400 disappoint you? Where were you when Bill Collins was deciding whether to run 400?”
Of W55 legend Phil Raschker, I’d ask: “You won five individual events, took silver in two and bronze in one. How do you excel in so many different disciplines while nursing injuries and illnesses?”
Of M60 hurdler Theo Viltz, I’d ask: “You won the M45 short hurdles title at Eugene in 1989 and the short hurdles title here as well. How do you stay in shape for such a strenuous event over a 14-year span?”
Of M50 sprinter Zbigy Zlobicki, I’d ask: “You were last on the USA roster and took 14th and 16th, respectively, in the 200 and 100 semifinals. What will be the first thing you tell your grandchildren when they ask about your achievements at WMA worlds?”
Enuf. You get the picture.
Congratulations to all the Americans — and all the athletes of the world — who made the effort to compete in Carolina for the joy of sport. Even if your story is never told.