BY ANTHONY PALMER
Torun, Poland last week for the European Indoor Masters Championships, was an event of true inspiration. Extra ordinary ability demonstrating the innate powers of the human spirit was exhibited. For anyone who thinks it is too late to get fit, take a leaf off the page of those old athletes over 80 who took part amongst their age groups. They showed a level of almost unfathomable super ability that defies what most would think possible. If they can get fit, what excuse has anybody else? All the events for the Masters Athletes were inspiring, but seeing the guys over 65, many over 70 was something of a movie event. Events featuring older 80 was too much for the eyes. I heard they have bben interviewed by the BBC in the past, but I never saw it.
The eye of Media tried to obtain interviews from some of the really old men who looked too good for their age that they might as well have been remote controlled, but they seem to have been quickly whisked away for some food and water. We were later told many of them left back for home, though we hope to interview them as some later date.
Masters events are for competitors over the age of 35. The competitions are broken down into age categories, with each category marking a 5 year range. Over 35’s cover ages between 35 – 39 year olds; over 40’s range between 40-44 year old’s, and so on. One event in particular really encapsulated the extraordinary Masters ethos of a celebration of an athletes’ powers of longevity. The M90 60m final was contested by Britain’s Charles Eugster, 95, and Poland’s Stanslaw Kowalski, aged 104. These men received a well deserved standing ovation as they tore their way up the 60m track with incredible speed, bounce and technique. It was a truly emotional, heart felt moment and a real celebration of the freedom life can bring to those who look after their bodies. Charles broke his own British record, running a time of 14.56 seconds to take the gold medal. Stanslaw finished not far behind, clocking 20.27 seconds.
M90 60m final –
Elsewhere, the W80-85 60m competition also proved a really popular event with the adoring supporters, who passionately applauded the athleticism of these determined athletes. This event proved to be one of the closer fought races of the week. In a hard fought contest, Latvia’s Austra Reinberga managed to just keep France’s Claudine Crippa at arm’s length, winning by a metre in a time of 13.13 seconds ahead of Claudine, who ran 13.52 seconds.
W80-85 60m final –
Another contest defined by its fine margins was the M35 60m final. This final had a real sense of anticipation, and as the eight finalists made their way to the starting blocks, there was a tangible buzz of excitement and wonderment in the air. The heats and semi-finals had set things up perfectly for the show piece final. The pre-final favourites, TJ Ossai and Mark Findlay, had run identical times of 7.01 seconds in winning their respective semi-finals. Ironically, both competitors who were opponents on the pitch rivals, are actually friends in real life friends. They work as full time personal trainers and so would know the ins and out the requirements of preparation for a competition as demanding as this. Both men ran in lanes 4 and 5 respectively.
Tj got off to the faster start, breaking from the blocks with characteristic flow and fluidity. The contrast in styles between the two main contenders made for an intriguing battle. TJ’s languid, smooth style, set against Mark’s more bustling, powerful technique. With 10m to go, TJ’s slender lead over the field was under siege from a gutsy Mark.
The finish saw both men dip for the line clear of the other six competitors. It so tight. But upon hearing confirmation that he’d won the race in a new Personal Best time of 6.97 seconds, 0.03 seconds ahead of Mark who ran 7.00. TJ celebrated his victory openly. I am still in shock, he said. I have achieve my personal best’. We definitely need more funding for the Master’s athletes.
All athletes attended an after party to celebrate the victory. The athletes partied late into the night but then bitter complaints from athletes claiming to be frozen out of funding temporarily begun to take over the mood. Moanings continued into the later parts of this week. Track and Field Secretary and International team Manager told The eye of Media , ” this championships showed the amount of talent and ability that exists among the Master Athletes in the UK. Yet, there is so much discrimination going on against the over 35’s. Over 35 year old’s constittue 70%of UKA’s membership, the majority of which are road runners. The other 30% are the under 35 year old’s youth’s juniors and seniors. All they do is control us by permitting fixtures, they take money off us but refuse to give us money or support us adequately. There is so much politics at the European and World level, There is so much I can show you about this”.
We will indeed be following this up closely to see any age discrimination is preventing worthy athletes of support because of their age. It is unthinkable if nio financial support is being provided to athletes whilst they are made to spend money. The championships were truly breathtaking and shown a diversity of talenty and strong will, one worthy of support.
