World Masters Games

The World Masters Games[1] is an international multi-sport event held every four years which, in terms of competitor numbers, has developed into the largest of its kind.[2]

Governed by the International Masters Games Association,[3] the World Masters Games is open to sports people of all abilities and most ages – the minimum age criterion ranges between 25 and 35 years depending on the sport. Auckland, New Zealand hosted the event's ninth edition from 21 to 30 April 2017.[4]

Anyone can participate in the games so long as they are over the age of 35 though some sports will allow athletes who are younger than that. Participants compete for themselves – there are no country delegations. Beyond the age requirement and membership in that sport's governing body, there are no competition qualification requirements.

History

Toronto staged the first World Masters Games in 1985. Since then, World Masters Games has also taken place in Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning (1989), Brisbane (1994), Portland, Oregon (1998), Melbourne (2002), Edmonton (2005) and Sydney (2009). The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games attracted a record 28,676 competitors.[5][6] This is more than double the number of competitors that took part in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

The Games has been popular with retired professional athletes and former Olympic competitors, with over 230 past Olympians taking part in the 2009 edition.[7]

Summer games

Edition Year Host Sports Countries Competitors Motto
11985Canada Toronto22618,305The Year of the Masters
21989Denmark Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning37765,500Sport for life
31994Australia Brisbane307424,500The challenge never ends
41998United States Portland2810211,400The global celebration of sport for life
52002Australia Melbourne269824,886The biggest multi-sport festival on Earth
62005Canada Edmonton258921,600A festival of sport in the city of festivals
72009Australia Sydney289528,676Fit, fun and forever young
82013Italy Turin309915,394Sport for life, Sport for all
92017New Zealand Auckland2810028,578For the Love of Sport
102021Japan Kansai–––The Blooming of Sport For Life

Winter games

Edition Year Host Sports Countries Competitors Motto
12010Slovenia Bled7423,000The Games for you
22015Canada Quebec City9201,600*
32020Austria Innsbruck8 3,000*

International Masters Games Association

The International Masters Games Association is the worldwide representative body for Masters sport. Recognised by the International Olympic Committee, the International Masters Games Association aims to support the Olympic movement and promote the sport-for-all philosophy of the Olympic Charter by encouraging all people beyond young adulthood to play sport and to participate in Masters Games with the awareness that competitive sport can continue throughout life and improve personal fitness.

A Board of Governors, consisting of sixteen members elected by the General Assembly for a four-year period, administers the IMGA: - One President - One Honorary Vice President - Ten members from the International Sports Federations, including two from the winter Sports Federations. - One member of a Sport Multidisciplinary Organization.

The International Masters Games Association's board of governors, as of May 2010, was:

PositionNameOther roles
President Kai Holm Former IOC member, former president of the Danish Olympic Committee
Honorary vice president H.R.H. Tunku Imran Honorary vice president, IOC member, president NOC Malaysia
MemberTamas AjanIOC member, president of the International Weightlifting Federation
MemberDenis OswaldIOC member, president of the International Rowing Federation
MemberGian Franco KasperIOC member, president of the International Ski Federation
MemberGen. Gianni GolaFormer president of the International Military Sports Council (CISM)
MemberPhilip CravenIOC member, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
MemberMarisol CasadoIOC member, president International Triathlon Union (ITU)
MemberAnders BessebergPresident of the International Biathlon Union
MemberDon PorterPresident of the International Softball Federation
MemberPat McQuaidIOC member, president International Cycling Union (UCI)
MemberJose PerurenaIOC member, president International Canoe Federation (ICF)
MemberBob ElphinstonFormer president of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
MemberRichard L. CarrionIOC executive board, chair IOC Finance & Audits Commission
MemberJohn D. CoatesIOC executive board, president NOC Australia, president CAS
MemberCarlos A. NuzmanIOC member, president NOC Brazil and Rio

See also

References

  1. ↑ "World Masters Games". International Masters Games Association. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  2. ↑ Malkin, Bonnie (2009-10-12). World Masters Games: barefoot Santa Claus and 100-year-old shot putter compete. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
  3. ↑ "International Masters Games Association". International Masters Games Association. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  4. ↑ "Glowing report on World Masters Games". NZ Herald. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  5. ↑ 2009 Sydney World Masters Games. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
  6. ↑ "Melbourne 2002 World Masters Games Final Report" (PDF). International Masters Games Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2010. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
  7. ↑ Jeffery, Nicole (2009-10-10). Olympians back up for World Masters Games. The Australian. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
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