 Sydney (October 20).— The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games were today officially declared the best ever by International Masters Games Association President Kai Holm.
“The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games have set a new standard, which is going to raise this event to an international level we haven’t been to before,” Mr Holm said.
Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay paid credit to the Games workforce, including more than 5,000 volunteers, for their role in making the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games such a success.
“The World Masters Games has been a fantastic event for Sydney and NSW,” Ms McKay said.
“It has demonstrated once again that Sydney is Australia’s premier events city. “The success of the Games is testament to the thousands of volunteers and dedicated staff who put countless hours work into planning and delivering this event.”
Ms McKay said the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games captured international headlines for Sydney.
“We have seen more than 28,000 people, from all corners of the globe, play their part in upholding the spirit of Master’s competition and demonstrating to everyone the benefits of being fit, fun and forever young,” Ms McKay said.
“There have been so many fantastic stories over the nine days of competition and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about and meeting so many inspirational people.”
“People such as 100-year-old athlete Ruth Frith, 98-year-old swimmer Margo Bates and 69-year-old Carl Hebel, who walked 1,100 kilometres from Gympie to be part of the Games, have all made big headlines.
“They embody what Masters competition is all about and I thank each and every competitor and official who has been part of this truly memorable event.”
Games Chair Margy Osmond said that the event had been inspirational. “The highlight for us has been all about people, that’s what this event is about,” Ms Osmond said.
“The Games are about individuals striving to be the best they can be.
“We’ve seen some outstanding, really inspiring performances.
“And some of our sporting ambassadors, who are previous sporting superstars, found their way into the gold medal bracket.”
The Games in Sydney were the seventh edition of the world’s largest multi-sport event, with another recent Olympic city, Turin, hosting the eighth in 2013.
Sydney 2009 World Masters Games key facts
The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games attracted 28,292 competitors from 95 countries, making it the world’s largest multi-sport event ever.
Of the 28,292 Games competitors, 11,635 came from New South Wales, 8,094 came from elsewhere in Australia and 8,563 came from overseas, including 2,272 Canadians, 1,404 Kiwis and 832 Americans.
Games competitors contested 28 sports at 72 venues, as far north as Mona Vale, as far south as Mt Keira and as far west as Clandulla State Forest.
Football was the most popular Games sport attracting 2,909 competitors. There were 16,533 male and 11,739 female competitors, while the average age of a Games competitor was 50 years, with most aged 40-59.
Nine of the Games ambassadors competed and eight of them – Jennifer Bourne (gold)), Sarah Fitz-Gerald (gold), Jenny Holliday (gold), Daniel Kowalski (gold), Russell Mark (gold), Shelley Oates-Wilding (gold), Andy Harper (silver) and Mark Geyer (bronze) won medals.
The youngest Games competitor was 24 year-old Canadian swimmer Facundo Chernikoff, while there were two Australian centenarians – 101 year-old lawn bowler Reg Trewin and 100 year-old athlete Ruth Frith (Ruth won six gold medals in this year’s competition).
There were 8,549 gold, 7,777 silver and 7,111 bronze medals awarded during the nine days of Games competition. World Masters Games come to a close
Sydney (October 19).—
The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games closed in spectacular fashion tonight, with a capacity crowd of 8,000 people celebrating at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour. As thousands of competitors marked the end of the Games by partying into the night, NSW Premier Nathan Rees thanked them for their inspirational sporting achievements this week.
“It’s been a sensational nine days of competition in our city, and we’ve enjoyed having you in Sydney,” Premier Rees said.
“This event has demonstrated Sydney’s capacity as an event city – and we’ve again shown how we can deliver world class events.”
International Masters Games Association President Kai Holm praised organisers.
“A bit of our heart will always stay behind here in Sydney because of the Games,” said Mr Holm. “What has been left here, the legacy to us, is really impressive.”
Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay said Sydney had successfully hosted the world’s largest multi-sport event with more than 28,000 competitors from 95 countries, competing in 28 different sports at 72 venues throughout Sydney during the Games.
“We’ve had so many inspirational sporting moments during the Games with more than 23,000 medals being awarded, more than 8,500 of those gold,” Ms McKay said.
“People such as 100-year-old athlete Ruth Frith, 98-year-old swimmer Margo Bates and 69-year-old Carl Hebel, who walked 1,100 kilometres from Gympie to be part of the Games, are just a few of the great stories to come from the Games.
“They have played their part in upholding the spirit of masters competition and demonstrating to everyone the benefits of being fit, fun and forever young.”
Games ambassador Shelley Oates-Wilding, who won seven gold medals in the canoe/kayak competition, presented Achievement Awards to two of the undoubted stars of the Sydney event, Ms Frith and Ms Bates.
“You’d be hard pushed to find two people who exemplify the Games motto more than these two remarkable women,” said Margy Osmond, Chair of the Games Advisory Committee.
“The Games have been five years in the making but the performances of each of the competitors have made it all worthwhile.”
The IMGA flag was officially handed over to the city of Turin who will stage the Games in 2013.
Legendary Australian musicians Jenny Morris, Dragon and The Choirboys were the stars of a three-hour rock concert at Tumbalong Park as Games competitors celebrated their achievements with new friends and old acquaintances. Old Timers in water polo action
Sydney (October 15).—
The World Masters Games has been going along swimmingly in Sydney this week. In action Friday: 1220: Event: Water Polo
Team: Way Beyond 2000 (All ages 30+) vs Qld Blues 45
Highlight: Featuring players from the gold-medal winning Sydney 2000 Olympic team
(Liz Scott (nee Weekes), Yvette Higgins and Danielle Woodhouse)
Venue: MLC Aquatic Centre
Address: Rowley Street, Burwood In action Thursday are: 1040: Event: Water Polo (Men’s 45+)
Team: Cronulla Old Bull Sharks
Highlight: Greg McFadden (1992 Olympic Men’s Waterpolo team)
Progress: Played 4 games – won 3, lost 1
Venue: Ryde Aquatic Centre
Address: Victoria Rd, Ryde
1040: Event: Water Polo (Men’s 45+)
Team: Cronulla Old Bull Sharks
Highlight: Greg McFadden (1992 Olympic Men’s Waterpolo team)
Progress: Played 4 games – won 3, lost 1
Venue: Ryde Aquatic Centre
Address: Victoria Rd, Ryde |
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