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MASTERS ATHLETICS TRACK & FIELD
EUROPEAN MASTERS, resignation of the European Technical Officer a few months
IZMIR, earlier, a lack of funding restricted the number of
TURKEY, 22/31st AUGUST experienced International Officials and this being the first
22-31 August 2014 major Masters meet in Turkey with so many Age Categories
to cater for, tested the home Officials and there were
mistakes. Older age groups in the decathlon had to compete
with the aid of make-do floodlights! Nonetheless, our team
and the many new members said they enjoyed their
competition and the experience.
Words: Bridget Cushen.
Pictures: Alex Rotas,
Dawn Cheetham.
A fading tan and a Vitamin D boost may be the only
reminder of the sweltering daily 30⁰-38⁰C heat for the
200 strong team, but Izmir proved to be a happy
hunting ground for sprinters looking for a fast end of season M35 400: 1st 529 Lawrence Baird, 2nd 631 Delroy Mitchell,
time as several produced their best time for years in the 3rd 520 Adam Bellis.
empty 60,000 seat part-covered cauldron that spectators From 35 through to 80-plus BMAF sprinters featured
shunned until the sun dropped below the horizon of the prominently in all finals as a swirling wind continuously
Western stand. Less than 100m away on the second track changed direction. Doubles were achieved in the M35
the middle distance runners whose races were scheduled for through to M55 100/200m sprints. The M35 Romanian Nisu’s
the 16.00 afternoon session, struggled to cross the finish winning times 10.89/21.79sec, (w-1) were faster than in
line. Equidistance away in the Throws Field the über men Zittau two years ago. The sight of BMAF male and female
and women of Europe struggled to keep their balance in the sprinters taking the top three places in some age categories
slippery circle as discus and hammers bounced off the arid sprints, as can been seen on the complete results
ground in keenly contested competition. An Indoor warm-up www.evas2014izmir.org, reflects our strength and augers
area was a bonus. Worries about the heat and humidity and well for the future; medals poured in as the Age Groups
the economic recession kept entries to 2027 competitors advanced. Returning from a prolonged injury, Stephen
from 42 countries, the lowest since Malmo in 1986. Turkish Peters came back on top to take 5 gold medals at the World
Masters are a Commission within their National Body, yet no Championships in Porto Alegre last October. Here, arguably,
financial assistance was forthcoming when the Organising the World’s most prolific Masters sprinter was equally as
Committee failed to find a main sponsor and entries fell well impressive winning the 100m in 12.01sec faster than a
below expectations, severe pruning was necessary. Our younger age group, the 200m (24.53), and 400m (54.38) and
Turkish hosts did their best to welcome competitors. All a storming leg in both relays despite being a victim of the
medallists were presented with a beautiful medal, a stomach bug. Only the newly crowned 2014 WMA Best
certificate and a T-Shirt. Ample local Officials and the hoard Male Athlete of the Year, M75 Guideo Muller from Germany,
of friendly young volunteers more than compensated for lack successfully attempted the triple.
of, or inferior equipment, or the occasional stray dog
wandering across the track. The multi eventers were the first Liam Collins just missed selection for Britain’s Bobsleigh
to feel the pinch as bottled water was provided for the team for Sochi and in a serendipitous moment switched to
Officials only, nor were there enough gazebos on the first BMAF, the Gateshead M35 was to cap a memorable year in
day. There was a restaurant and some vending machines on Izmir. After marrying his Hungarian girlfriend, she used her
site. Hungarian Bride’s money to fund his trip “I just can’t go home
Within a few days of arriving many of our team suffered now without a medal,” he stressed. After straight
stomach upsets. Gavin Fordham got slight sun stroke but 110m/400mH finals, he had bagged two individual gold
went on to finish 3rd in the M35 decathlon. Mel James also medals with a further two in exciting relays. What a start to
succumbed to the heat. Frustrated 400m hurdlers turned up his Masters career and what a year!
early on Day 3 for their heats only to find they had been Mixed fortunes followed for the other hurdlers. Herne Hill
cancelled. British Team Managers said they had not been coach Clarence Allen led Don Brown to the top two M50
informed but did again stress at the daily Team Managers 100m places whilst Tennyson James took the M55 title in
meeting that heats should go ahead as scheduled and the 15.01 from Rajamaki of Finland and John Mayor 3rd. Paul
semis be cancelled. It is unfair to the athletes and with Edwards was unlucky to be drawn in the lane next to the
instant communication now this is something that both Hungarian, Lueers, whose unorthodox style knocked Paul’s
Organisers and Team Management has to address. The hurdles over just as he was about to clear it, Paul finished 6th
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