Portland IAAF worlds to have ‘more than two’ exhibition events
Here’s the Lyon 2015 handbook as PDF.
Bill Daprano meets Jennifer Aniston, has role in Hollywood film
Director Garry Marshall, Jenn and Bill.
Superstar actress meets superstar masters athlete at shoot in Georgia.
14-year-old was among starters at Lyon worlds, Indian official says
Manonmani couldn’t make it to Sacramento worlds in 2011.
Dave Albo runs and shoots: Great pics of Rocky Mt. Masters Games
Liz Palmer burned a great 80-meter hurdles at Colorado State. Ric Rojas photo
21 days and counting: Where the hell is new WMA Constitution?
Three Thursdays ago — on Aug. 13 — the WMA General Assembly at Lyon approved a new constitution. The proposal apparently was printed in the biennial handbook, but for reasons unknown to me no digital version was circulated. (I’ve posted these handbooks.) So I have no clue what changes are in store for WMA, athletes and officials. Only the delegates have seen the new rules, and they haven’t shared them with me. So I’ve resorted to polite begging. On Aug. 19, a WMA officer wrote me: “Sorry, but I am told you will need to wait a week or so — then I can let you have it as well as put it on the website.” A week or so have passed. Still no posting. I hate to be a whiner, but WHAT THE F–K is going on, guys? In what sport — or organization — are new rules approved and nobody can see them? I totally understand that someone has to update an old file. But it’s been 21 days. Long enough for PDF to be posted. Please join me in calling on WMA to expedite posting of the new constitution.
“Version as updated October 22nd 2013. In force from 1st January 2014.”
USATFmasters.org highlights American stories from Lyon worlds
Dedrick helped Team USA win an M35 silver.
Relayist Daphne, fighting an Achilles injury, won the 400. Rob Jerome photo
Burke, Platts break records at USATF Masters Throws Nationals
Despite heavy rains and blustery winds — with trees crashing down around them — organizers of the USATF National Masters Throws Championships saw four national records set over the weekend in Seattle. (See results here.) “Overall it was an excellent event,” said Lance Neubauer, who served as co-meet director with former national masters chairman George Mathews. “We were not without our issues, like a new 56 lb and 98 lb equipment we planned to use not showing up until Monday. After a record setting number of days over 70 and 80 and no rain this summer, we got blasted over the weekend. We were grateful it was not constant rain. On Saturday, it would blow, then settle down, rain, then sun out, back to rain, sun. On Sunday, the same thing without the high winds.” Lance also sent a report detailing records set by M75 legend Ed Burke and M85 
William Platts. Burke and W55 star Carol Finsrud both won $300 as top scorers.
Jim Burgoyne posted this shot of M50-59 throwers on a rainy Seattle weekend.
How did San Diegans fare at Lyon? Better than USA in Beijing
It’s an unfair comparison, but I note in a Times of San Diego story that the six San Diegans competing in Lyon brought home more gold medals than all of the U.S. kiddies in Beijing. Special thanks to Chip Crowl, Pat Kelly, Dick Richards and Jim Chinn for sharing some anecdotes. It’s also worth noting that it’s not too late to share YOUR story with local media. Just remind them (as I did) that IAAF worlds wasn’t the only global track meet in August. See how I structured my report.
Members of Team USA gathered at Balmont after Lyon Opening Ceremonies.
Mastersrankings.com is named official WMA site for seasonal lists
For the second time this millennium, World Masters Athletics has named a rankings site as its official home for seasonal age-group lists. John Seto formally announced Monday that WMA “has endorsed MastersRankings.com (aka athleticsrankings.com) as the official WMA Rankings list for masters athletics.” A dozen years ago, WMA rankings fell apart amid mediocrity and no funding. The late Ross Dunton pulled the plug amid criticism, including my own. I may have been too harsh, asking for IAAF quality lists. Now John’s site is getting recognition — and possibly WMA funding. (He says it may pay for one of eight staffers needed.) This is huge — and long overdue. Rankings, albeit a misnomer, are expected of any sports body. The IAAF Top Lists are the gold standard. They should be our model. Here’s my quickie Q&A with John about WMA’s endorsement.
Here’s what the WMA rankings site, kept by Ross Dunton, looked like in 2003.
Not that it matters: France edged Germany in Lyon medals count
The founders of masters track despised medal counts, since nationalism was considered a blight on the sport. But for the umpteenth time, the LOC has provided the numbers. According to the Lyon 2015 site, the most medals went to host France — edging traditional powerhouse Germany in golds 106 to 105 (but leading in overall medals 284-258). Then came UK, USA and Australia, with 164, 160 and 140 medals total, respectively (60, 57, 52 gold). Hong Kong and Taiwan tied for last at 64th with two bronze each. If 98 nations took part as advertised, that means 33 countries went home empty-handed. But the experience is more valuable than the medals anyway. Hope they all had a blast. Here’s a PDF of the top 37 nations.
The world’s biggest all-comers meets awarded these medals in Lyon.
