Visit America/Canada, Germans masters are told
Americans headed for Riccione in September are bracing for sticker shock — on everything. The dollar/euro exchange rate is obscene. But the flip side is that Europeans can spend like tycoons when they visit the United States and Canada. So says Annette and Robert Koop on their German masters track site. Quoting German-born athlete Hillen von Maltzahn of New York, the Koops encourage their readers to compete in the Canadian and USATF masters nationals in August — and take advantage of the favorable exchange rate.
Here’s a rough translation of the Koops’ post:
Summer vacation ’07: How wär’s with a start with the championships in the USA or Canada?
Because the euro always new heights erklimmt, become more inexpensive journeys to North America. Thus the possibility opens, as a European at the national championships of the USA and to participate those in Canada and this with a summer journey by the northwest To connect Nordamaerikas. Because both national championships stand also for Starter inside and starters from Europe openly. The for a long time in the USA living person Master athlete Hillen of painting tooth said to it opposite msters sport.de: “I become here über’m pond always gladly seen. Nartürlich can become I as foreigners no American or Canadian master, receives however a victory also gold medal, as that best native ones. I find a good Solution, because as foreigners one should nobody which take away. “ The Canadian championships that Leichtathletikmasters become of 27. to 29 July 2007 in Saint John (province new Brunswick) delivered. Only one week later take place the US mast R-S championships of 2. until 5 August in Orono (Maine). The two Venues in Canada and in the USA lies only approximately 280km from each other far away. Those are three hours with the car… Further information is on that Web page of the championships. (01.05.07)
9 Responses
I think the financial argument for visiting the US is strong.
But I’m not sure that Orono, Maine is a great tourist attraction!
I think Orono is a terrific tourist destination. I drove up the coast road from Portland during the last two Orano championships and had a wonderful time.
We should welcome the Europeans in our meets.They have some of the best track and field athletes in the world. Their participation would definitely add to the competition. Perhaps they will allow Americans to compete in their meets someday.
Tom Fahey M59
Hmm, Google doesn’t do such a hot job with German. Perhaps there’s an opening…
I hope she changes her posting to note that this all occurs in the Northeast, not the Northwest. Not that being stuck in Vancouver without a track meet is that bad.
I agree. I hope this does encourage the other countries to participate. I also think we need to modify some rules. I know I am going to get tomatoes, eggs, cabbage, etc. thrown at me for saying this but I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t agree with the rule that regulates how many non USA athletes are allowed to compete in the finals. I think that anyone who earned a spot in the finals should be allowed to compete in the finals. If not, then perhaps the entry fee for non USA athletes should be discounted to 2/3 of the total cost. Would this be a good time for me to duck? 🙂
Looking forward to seeing everybody in Maine! Linda 🙂
Linda is right! Whomever wins in the finals should get a medal?¢‚Ǩ‚Äù regardless of their country. We have no entry standards and Europeans have to pay a lot of money to come to our meet. I am concerned when I see posts advocating limiting participation by ex Olympians and foreigners. This is a championship. If you can’t beat the best you don’t deserve a medal. We have the Senior Olympics and local all-comer meets for people who don’t want to compete against top athletes.
The Europeans should allow us in their meets, too. They are much worse about us than we are. I found it very strange that the WVA passed a no two country rule in San Sebastian?¢‚Ǩ‚Äù right after I had won the world championships (Puerto Rico) and tried to enter the European championships ( I enquired about competing for Ireland; my grandparents were from Ireland, so I am eligible for dual citizenship).
Masters competitions should be inclusive. There is a move to making it more nationalistic (country medal counts and national governing boards excluding athletes for disrespecting them). True championships involve the best athletes duking it out mano y mano.
I, too, agree. Place by mark not by country.
Charlie Roll, M60
If Americans are to be squeezed out of the finals in events at the USA National Masters Track and Field Championships by more than say three non-Americans, the name and entry for such a meet should be changed and a separate meet be held for competition among Americans.
Medals for the USA National Championships should go to USA citizens. Additional medals for non-Americans could be granted at the USA Championships for competition in separate heats and flights staged for non-Americans. The mission of encouraging grass roots Masters track and field participation is best achieved if the opportunity to compete at the national level is maximized for citizens of a country.
I remember a situation where an American trained for years to compete in USA nationals in their home town. All the relatives were there to watch their hero compete in the finals. However, the hero was ranked ninth behind at least three non-Americans and five Americans. The hero did not get to compete in the finals. End of career. End of joy in training and competing in Masters Track and Field. End of encouragement from relatives.
Also, forget about those unscientific criteria (standards?) for denial of medals to competitors in the highest age brackets. Give them a break. It is not their fault if no one else shows up or lives as long.
Aloha, Jack Karbens
Jack hit it right on the head.
Yes I agree with Jack Karbens. I am a prospective European entry. It is not fair to force out an American from a final of a USA Championships. I would be happy just to compete and get a result.
Anthony Treacher, M65
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