A year ago this month, South Africa’s Monty Hacker resigned as president of World Masters Athletics. He was acting prez, taking care of business in the wake of Cesare Beccalli’s death in December 2007. Monty quit because of his own health concerns. His resignation letter said: “I was struck down with an unknown and unidentified viral infection which lasted some six weeks. . . . (My) specialist . . . advised that this (elevated blood pressure) condition was caused by stress. He thus recommended that I avoid stressful situations if I wished to limit the risk of succumbing to an early heart attack.” So how is Monty doing? Quite well, thanks! He’s even thinking of resuming sprints as an M75!

Monty competed in many world masters meets, including the first in Toronto in 1975. He made the finals of the 100 and 200 several times. But since he lived in the Republic of South Africa during the apartheid era, he sometimes had to enter as a Dutch or Rhodesian athlete.

Masterstrack.com: It’s been nearly a year since you resigned as acting president of World Masters Athletics, and I’m curious to see how you are doing!

Monty Hacker: Thank you for the inquiry. I am doing just fine. After some 16 years of association with WAVA and then WMA, starting with preparations for the Durban WAVA Championships, there really is life (and a good one at that) after WMA.

You resigned as a result of stress-induced ailments. How is your health now?

Very good now, having recovered fully, this according to the results from my recent full medical examination.

Did you follow General Assembly developments in Lahti, including the close election of Stan Perkins as WMA president?

At a distance, yes. I was kept informed.

What was your reaction to Val Barnwell’s positive doping test at Lahti — which resulted in a two-year suspension?

(For this and the next question, Monty yielded to Stan Perkins for a response. Monty wrote: “From my point of view, there is nothing for me to comment on, and I therefore express no opinions one way or the other.” But he conveyed these replies from Stan:)

Val Barnwell’s positive sample and test were apparently nothing out of the ordinary, apart that is from the fact that he had for some time been a top-level athlete with high achievements. Val contested the analysis, had the second sample tested but did not attend (the B sample testing), and continued to protest his innocence.

Stan further reports that (USATF) Anti-Doping ran the case and initially suspended him provisionally, pending the outcome of his doping hearing. Then at the hearing he was found guilty and given a two-year suspension. He had entered the competition in Kamloops in the belief he would be exonerated. The hearing took place on the Friday, two days before the official opening.

Stan received the decision of the hearing by means of an urgent e-mail and he then had to call Val in and advise him of his suspension and the fact that he was out of the competition. However, Val continued to preach his innocence but eventually peer pressure told and he quietly left the competition area after several days.

What do you think about the Koops’ story that Dieter Massin needed personal security at Kamloops worlds?

(Monty again channels Stan): The story about Dieter Massin having a bodyguard “was a load of rubbish.” There was security staff around the venue as it was still open to the general public and there were other activities taking place. A security officer in the Call Room, which was outside of the testing room, was apparently asked to stay in the area for a while when an athlete got upset as he thought he would miss his next event. He apparently voided his sample and left without incident and that (was) the end of the matter. Whether or not something was said, Stan does not know but he is satisfied that there is no substance to the story.

Is Stan Perkins doing a good job as WMA president in your view?

I believe that he is and will do a splendid job.

What projects would you have liked to tackle when you were head of WMA?

Harmony within the ranks. The elimination of petty jealousies and self serving interests. And the more effective and efficient functioning of Council meetings by means of every member having a working knowledge of English.

What are WMA’s biggest challenges and needs?

The ability to encourage prospective WMA Championsips bidders to come forward with bids for the Stadia and Indoors events and be financially able to afford the cost of hosting these events. If WMA had the available funds with which to contribute towards these costs (which it does not), I believe that many more strong bids would be forthcoming.

Unfortunately, in my experience, sponsorship funding for WMA has proved to be extremely difficult to obtain because sponsors want something in return and WMA cannot offer anything like what IAAF can. I understand that even IAAF is experiencing difficulty in this regard despite it enjoying TV exposure, something which WMA rarely if ever has.

Invariably, when TV exposure is available, to WMA events it is solely for the benefit of the local “host ” community and focuses on the aged and struggling athletes instead of on the really good male and female T&F performances.

What advice would you give someone interested in running for WMA office?

Make certain that you have the time to devote to the demands of the role you propose undertaking. Ideally a retiree is in the best position to do so. Have the ability to speak, read and write in clear English. Have had exposure to the administration of T&F and be able to make a contribution to the sport. And be willing and able to make sacrifices, time-wise, in order to discharge the many duties you undertake.

What occupies your time now?

I have returned full time to my law practice. However, retirement cannot be too far off on the horizon. I spend time chairing Disciplinary Proceedings (including Doping) in South Africa. As a CAS Arbitrator, I have been invited to do duty in the ad hoc Division of CAS at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from October 3 to 14 later this year, and have accepted this invitation.

I have begun cautious training again. And last but not least, I am once again able to devote quality time to my family.

Do you think you might compete in masters again?

I am hoping to overcome a series of minor injuries and to become fit and strong enough to compete in Sacramento next year.