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 – with Auckland, New Zealand scheduled to host the major event's ninth edition from 21 to 30 April 2017.
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.[4][5] 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.[6]
Summer games
| Edition | Year | Host | Sports | Countries | Competitors | Motto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 1985 |  Toronto | 22 | 61 | 8,305 | The Year of the Masters |
| II | 1989 |  Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning | 37 | 76 | 5,500 | Sport for life |
| III | 1994 |  Brisbane | 30 | 74 | 24,500 | The challenge never ends |
| IV | 1998 |  Portland | 28 | 102 | 11,400 | The global celebration of sport for life |
| V | 2002 | Melbourne | 26 | 98 | 24,886 | The biggest multi-sport festival on Earth |
| VI | 2005 | Edmonton | 25 | 89 | 21,600 | A festival of sport in the city of festivals |
| VII | 2009 | Sydney | 28 | 95 | 28,676 | Fit, fun and forever young |
| VIII | 2013 |  Turin | 30 | 99 | 15,394 | Sport for life, Sport for all |
| IX | 2017 |  Auckland | 28 | – | – | For the Love of Sport |
| X | 2021 |  Kansai | – | – | – | The Blooming of Sport For Life |
Winter games
| Edition | Year | Host | Sports | Countries | Competitors | Motto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 2010 |  Bled | 7 | 42 | 3,000 | The Games for you |
| II | 2015 | Quebec City | 9 | 20 | 1,600 | * |
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:
| Position | Name | Other 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 |
| Member | Tamas Ajan | IOC Member, President of the International Weightlifting Federation |
| Member | Denis Oswald | IOC Member, President of the International Rowing Federation |
| Member | Gian Franco Kasper | IOC member, President of the International Ski Federation |
| Member | Gen. Gianni Gola | Former President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) |
| Member | Philip Craven | IOC Member, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) |
| Member | Marisol Casado | IOC Member, President International Triathlon Union (ITU) |
| Member | Anders Besseberg | President of the International Biathlon Union |
| Member | Don Porter | President of the International Softball Federation |
| Member | Pat McQuaid | IOC Member, President International Cycling Union (UCI) |
| Member | Jose Perurena | IOC Member, President International Canoe Federation (ICF) |
| Member | Bob Elphinston | Former President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) |
| Member | Richard L. Carrion | IOC Executive Board, Chair IOC Finance & Audits Commission |
| Member | John D. Coates | IOC Executive Board, President NOC Australia, President CAS |
| Member | Carlos A. Nuzman | IOC Member, President NOC Brazil and Rio |
See also
- 2009 World Masters Games
- European Masters Games
- Masters athletics (track and field)
- Multi-sport event
References
- ↑ "World Masters Games". International Masters Games Association. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "International Masters Games Association". International Masters Games Association. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ↑ 2009 Sydney World Masters Games. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Jeffery, Nicole (2009-10-10). Olympians back up for World Masters Games. The Australian. Retrieved on 2009-10-15.
External links
- International Masters Games Association official website
- Masters Events official website
- 2010 Bled World Winter Masters Games official website
- 2013 Turin World Summer Masters Games official website