USATF Indy nationals foot-dragging on masters events
The USATF Masters Invitational Program showcases elite masters athletes at major relay meets and both the indoor and outdoor USATF open championships. But in recent years, getting cooperation from the corner office has been a pain. Only one meet is left on the 2006 agenda — the June 21-25 USATF nationals in Indianapolis, but invite chair Mark Cleary reports that there is still no final approval of which masters exhibition events will be contested.
Replying to a query, Mark wrote me:
“We do not have approval from USATF yet. We should know sometime this next week. My feeling is that we will get approval. . . . The events requested . . . are 100m for men and 400m for women –as far as the structure of who runs — most likely the 40 year olds and Bill Collins and in the women’s race we will see who answers the call. I’ll let you know next week.”
The status quo, of course, is completely unacceptable. Mark is angry about being jerked around, and so should potential masters exhibitionists (to coin a phrase). If money isn’t an issue (in terms of travel subsidies), then what’s the hang-up?
With only six weeks before the meet, athlete travel arrangements (and time off at work) are hard to make. Meet organizers — especially in the home of USATF — should be ashamed over not having the events announced by this time.
Who is served by half-ass masters events at open nationals?
Not masters, fersure.
One Response
yet another PERFECT example of USATFs TRUE attitude toward masters athletics. Mark Cleary does a great job and what does he get??? they (USATF)make his job harder..this is just incredibly pathetic…It makes Clearys job of developing good fields that much more difficult..why do “we” continue to take this attitude/behavior from USATF?? I was VERY PLEASED to read George Matthews comments in the latest Geezerjock magazine in regard to possibly breaking away from USATF and developing our own program…apparently the masters swimmers have done this with great success. I support Mr Matthews 100% in this direction….wake up Masters athlets the “writing is on the wall” USATF cares VERY little about us…they PROVE it constantly..the most recent example is the way they treat Mark Cleary and his Masters exhibition program….They set us up to FAIL.
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