Zelezny looking to stick with it through age 40
“Hang on, Sloopy” wasn’t written to describe elite track athletes competing into their 40s. But some openettes seem to be using it as their theme song. The latest: javelin world record holder Jan Zelezny, a three-time Olympic champ who has given notice that he’s shooting for a European title in 2006 — when he’ll be 40 years old.
Eurosport reports:
“Olympic gold medallist in 1992, 1996 and 2000, Zelezny also holds the world record with a throw of 98.48 metres set in 1996 but is unsatisfied with his credentials at the European championships where to date, his only return has been a bronze medal in 1994. If he can regain his fitness and form for next season, he is set to line-up at the 2006 European championships in Gothenburg, Sweden where he will be competing at the tender age of 40.”
Of course, masters throwers compete into their 100s, so this is not news.
But it seems to be part of a trend of world-class athletes, especially throwers, hanging on to their elite careers long after their early glory. Not faulting that, just pointing it out.
Reasons for this?
They can afford to do it — with money being available in many forms (sponsorships, prize awards, national governing body stipends).
And they want to do it — prolonging the “fun” part of their lives as long as possible before having to pursue the “work” part of it.
Jan, however, would not be a shoo-in for an M40 world record. His 2005 season best is 83.98 meters (275-6), while the M40 world best is 84.08 (275-10) by Germany’s Peter Blank in 2003. But he’ll have plenty of motivation.
Gotta win that Euro gold, ya know.
