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
1st	1985	Toronto	22	61	8,305	The Year of the Masters
2nd	1989	Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning	37	76	5,500	Sport for life
3rd	1994	Brisbane	30	74	24,500	The challenge never ends
4th	1998	Portland	28	102	11,400	The global celebration of sport for life
5th	2002	Melbourne	26	98	24,886	The biggest multi-sport festival on Earth
6th	2005	Edmonton	25	89	21,600	A festival of sport in the city of festivals
7th	2009	Sydney	28	95	28,676	Fit, fun and forever young
8th	2013	Turin	30	99	15,394	Sport for life, Sport for all
9th	2017	Auckland	28	–	–	For the Love of Sport
10th	2021	Kansai	–	–	–	*

Winter games

Edition	Year	Host	Sports	Countries	Competitors	Motto
1st	2010	Bled	7	42	3,000	The Games for you
2nd	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

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

Masters athletics

Events	World Masters Athletics Championships European Veterans Athletics Championships Asia Masters Athletics Championships Senior Olympics World Masters Games

Records	World European American

Federations	World Masters Athletics European Athletics Veterans Association

Athletes	List of Masters Athletes USATF Masters Hall of Fame

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