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Sports

Never too old for competition

Rebekah Hammond - Science & Tech Editor

She stood with the pole poised in her hand.

Gaze forward, with a look of concentration and determination she inhaled deeply and began the run up.

The long pole is planted in the box and bends under the strain. In one smooth, graceful motion she vaults over, her feet crest the bar, her back arches over and with a twist, she lands on the mat.

Dorothy McLennan, 74, from Ireland, competed in pole vault last Wednesday and is proof that you're never too old to be travel the world and be competitively active. A lesson for those who use hard, long days or the appearance of grey hairs as an excuse not to hit the gym. McLennan has lived a full life and hasn't let a few strands of silver keep her from rigorous excerise.

McLennan was just one of the 1,386 registered athletes who competed in the World Masters Indoor Championship that was held in the TCC last week.

A mosaic of different country's colours and foreign languages could be seen and heard. Over 63 countries were represented at the international track and field tournament held for athletes ages 35 years or older.

From Kamloops, there were 112 athletes who competed including TRU's recreation co-ordinator Pina Russo and Jack Miller, the dean of education.

Some of the local participating competitors were long-time track and field athletes while others didn't have quite as much experience under their belts, but wanted to take part in the competition anyways.

"There are many individuals among that group of 112 that are people that [were] stepping forward from not having done track and field [since] their high school days or their university days," said Bob Cowden, co-chair of Kamloops' World Masters. "It's a wonderful experience to see the rekindled interest of people between the ages of 35 and into their late 80s participating."

While the spirit of competition was strong on the track and during events, it was also a time to meet athletes from around the world and greet old friends.

"It's a lot of fellow athletes I've competed with in the past at different meets and Canadians who you haven't seen in a while," said Winchester Johnson a Canadian athlete who finished second in the men's indoor pentathlon. "It's nice to have the rest of the world come."

And for the skeptical readers, there was no shuffling on the track, slacking during shot put, or lenience in the long jump pit. World records were broken in numerous age categories and gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded with no conciliation prizes being given out; it was a world class competition in all regards.