WMA explains Porto Alegre 2013 change of dates, in greater detail
Confirming my report of Sunday, World Masters Athletics has posted info on how Porto Alegre, Brazil, pushed back the dates of 2013 worlds by a couple months — to October 15-27. See statement here. The main points: “The change of dates had been requested by the LOC after an announcement that the Government had agreed to fund a complete renewal of the athletics and community facility known as CETE. Government officials met with WMA President Perkins and Secretary Winston Thomas in November to detail their plans and at that time confirmed that the full cost of the project had been approved so that work could proceed.” So how does this change affect y’all? Mess up vacation plans?
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Bad news for those who have children at school.
Most of you don’t know me because you weren’t born within 5 years of 1931. As a result, you don’t know that I was born in South America. As Bo Diddley said, “You don’t sound like no South American. What part?” Okay, for you curiosity seekers, I was born in South Texas. “Gee, Tex, we’re talking about the REAL South America.” Now I get it, that’s the one place I’ve never been. Brazil, here I come(there I go?)Will someone please send Harada and me a contact for cutrate Brazilian consulates. Thanks, Smartty
Not the best news for those of us who teach in the States…..but have to check on the dates of my Oct. break…… Sully
Maryvonne. That reminds me. Why isn’t your 25.44 sec W45 indoor 200m world record on the WMA records website?
thanks for adding me to the list for cut rate consulates – but there is one in Boston – where I got a visa to visit Brazil in 2002 – in those days one could do it in a couple of hours – before they got royally *&^%ed at the USA for the price increase and the incredible hassle and takes months to get an interview- which is totally inexcusable.
I had a great time in Brazil in 2002- and would love to go again – but but but – wait until all these lovely new places are in place and finished. Meanwhile – get some language tapes for Brazilian Portuguese – and start studying.
Good news because October I can get time off which means 2013 I can potentially make it to world masters xc ski italy, world masters games italy and world masters track porto alegre, the hardest one will be world masters games very hard for me to get time off in July because of seniority bid system..all the long timers have priority on the July dates
From http://weatherspark.com/averages/33403/10/Porto-Alegre-Rio-Grande-do-Sul-Brazil
The month of October is characterized by rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs ranging from 73°F to 80°F over the course of the month, exceeding 86°F or dropping below 68°F only one day in ten. Daily low temperatures range from 55°F to 59°F, falling below 50°F or exceeding 64°F only one day in ten.
The average probability that some form of precipitation will be observed in a given day is 40%, with little variation over the course of the month.Throughout October, the most common forms of precipitation are light rain and thunderstorms.
Light rain is the most severe precipitation observed during 45% of those days with precipitation. It is most likely around October 7, when it is observed during 20% of all days.
Thunderstorms are the most severe precipitation observed during 42% of those days with precipitation. They are most likely around October 27, when it is observed during 20% of all days.
Great site for the weather concerns and as Coach Cliff always tells me with all of the rain in Florida. There’s no problem “mon”, that’s why we have All Weather Tracks. I competed as a So. in HS 100 district finals, lane one (at least I made the finals)but it rained hard an hour before the race and I changed sports from track to swimming. Cinder Track and Lane one seem to hold more water then the rest. From the water and the wear of running a season in a pair of spikes the side of my left shoe split open at the 80 meter mark. Thank God for modern day improvements.
Mary mentioned the price of a visa to Brazil so I took a look. For two of us, one source will put it near $500.00. That may just be an OUCH to keep us home. Smartty
Smartty, I hope you will post again later about the cost of a visa. For some reason I thought the barriers were just procedural; you mention a price of about $500 for two. Yikes. I would have thought it would be about $20.00 (shows what I know). I am sure you will stay on top of this issue.
With Cinderella at his side in Disneyland, the president just announced a major change in visa laws. His prominently mentioned Brazil who got hammered by US visa expenses and crazy paperwork. Brazil already promised to react in kind. Maybe you don’t have to ask Scrooge McDuck for a multiplujillion loan and your journey will become more enjoyable than right now..
The current fee is $160 per person ($140 for the visa and $20 for processing ) according to the San Francisco Brazilian Consulate General http://www.brazilsf.org/visa_tourist_eng.htm. The web site says that the fee is in reciprocity for US fees as of June 2010.
From what I have read, the president has only shorten the waiting time for Brazilian Visa, which is good because the Brazilians will likely do the same for US visas : http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2012/01/entering-america.
Please check for the exact requirements per your closest Brazilian Consulate.
Visa Brazil website:
U.S. citizens must pay a non-refundable $140.00 reciprocity fee (as of June 2010).
(This is because the U.S. government charges Brazilian citizens who apply for a U.S. visa a minimum of 2 mandatory fees).
The cost of an airline ticket to Porto Alegre is Brazil about $1700 in October, of course this price is a year out. $1700 plus the $160 for the visa entrance fees, hotel….. How do you say, “cost prohibitive” in Portuguese?
I was looking at staying in Buenos Aires and flying up to PA for my event, not as bad of an airfare. The Argentinian airline has daily flights. Plus, BA is such a nice city.
Nice strategy if you have one event, but most of us compete in multiple events so BA would be not be feasible during the competition.
South America isn’t for this cat. How about this clincher. All other countries? $40.00. Off to Torino for us. Smartty
I checked air fares to Porto Alegre. I’m seeing $2,000 to $2400 per person. Enough said. Smartty
I checked travel options to Porto Alegre from Houston. Most of the searches will fly you through Sao Paolo or Rio and you will pay about $1800. However, you can book a flight to Buenos Aires for about $1300 and a separate flight from Buenos Aires to Porto Alegre for $200. Still not cheap, but a better option for people who want to go.
Canadian passport holders currently pay (according to the latest information on the web) $82 CDN for a Brazilian visa. Of course, the humble country of Canada never did anything to irritate Brazil.
Should we start a foreign policy debate over this? Nahh, lets stick to track.
@Anthony.The record is listed on the EVAA site with a WR mention.But it really does not matter as we-a 200m runner- will break this mark very soon…….
There are usually a lot of good deals on flights to central and south america leaving out of Miami. You just have to wait until a month or so before your departure date to book. Check flights from your home city to either MIA or FLL. Maybe that might help. If that doesn’t work, lets get our own charter flight like the NBA players. A certified pre-owned plane will do. Can you imagine how much fun that flight would be….if it ever makes it off the ground! 🙂
PS: Do we have any pilots on the team???
(Off topic sorry. @maryvonne your “But it really does not matter as we-a 200m runner- will break this mark very soon…….” could be the WMA rationale for not bothering to post new WRs.)
On topic. For a number of reasons it will not be 2013 WMA Porto Alegre but 2013 WMG Torino for this Limey.
In Italy, we have an expression.
“Qui è cosi e se non è cosi non è qui”
Those who come, come. Those who don’t, don’t.
We have several guys that are commercial pilots who are top performers in Masters Track & Field-a charter flight would be interesting-I’m going one way or another!
That’s really too bad for we teachers! I was looking forward to it being my first World’s, but that is no longer an option in October.
re – flying to Buenos Aires and then to Porto Alegre – factor in the price of a visa for Argentina into your price. I think it is about $50 – or was last year. But you can get it at the airport.
As for waiting until a month out to buy that ticket from Miami – you cannot get your visa for Brazil until you have your round trip airfare.
It will be a very expensive trip for most in the USA – and Canada. The Canadians will likely pay the difference in airfare that some of us pay adding on the visa price -;). And thanks to the change in dates – the airfare is likely to be higher in October than in July. Winter prices to South America are sometimes lower than shoulder season (spring, fall).
Now that brings me to my next question. I noticed that there wasn’t a travel itinerary requirement listed if you select the athlete visa option. Just an extra $20 bucks. Cha-ching. Is this an option for us?
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