The Face Book algorithm knows that I’m a masters athlete and it knows the athletes I follow, so I began getting posts about WMA competitions and pages like Alex’s. I know, it’s weird, but thanks Face Book!
Quoting the photographer about these 3 women masters athletes: Bet you thought a women’s pole vault competition in the 70-74 year old age group would be, well, a little tame, perhaps? Take a look at the three medal winners from the competition at the WMA – World Masters Athletics in Gothenburg Sweden!
USA’s Kay Glynn, 71, cleared the bar in supreme style at a height of 2.55m to claim Gold; GB’s Sue Yeomans, 71, showed her usual determination and focus to earn Silver with 2.35m, and USA’s Rita Hanscom, 70, completed the trio of superbly fit medal-winning masters athletes to claim Bronze with the bar at 2.25m.
These old chicks rule!
Alex also says: Of course if you are a masters athlete yourself, you’d know very well that ‘tame’ isn’t a word that’s ever associated with these wonderful events!
When talking about these amazing women, I have frequently heard variations of the remark, “they must have been doing this all their lives.”
As a masters athlete myself (not anywhere near the level of these gals) people have made the same assumption about me.
The implication seems to be if someone can accomplish a feat of physical prowess it must’ve taken a lifetime to attain it. Not true.
I never thought of myself as an “athlete” until I was in my 50s when I realized that I was a decent cyclist, and pretty competitive. I had been a”runner” while I was raising 6 kids, and participated in local road races for fun. But when I hit 52 something changed. I had more time to train and I started to believe in my ability, strength, and fitness…plus I WANTED it and was willing to do the work.
I got serious about cycling in my 50s, then powerlifting late in my 60s, and now at 71 I’m hitting some decent goals. If I decided to try someting else, I know can begin any time.
We can train anything if we truly want it. Start to train something new any time!
USA’s Kay Glynn, 71
Great Britain’s Sue Yeomans, 71
USA’s Rita Hanscom, 70
This is another first for me –
I did not know that Paralympics is completely separate organization from the Olympics. I also didn’t expect Paralympians to have a sense of humor about the events.
I learned this when I read that Paralympics Will Drop Ban on Olympic Rings Tattoos. Paralympians are now allowed to reveal a tattoo of the Olympic rings. Until this year they had to cover a tattoo of any organization – many used a sharpie marker because it meant that they were advertising a different organization.
Laughing at these posts at first just feels…uncomfortable? But a scroll through the account reveals what the masterminds behind this account call “edgy”. It’s actually a group of four 20- to 30-something-year-olds—three of whom have disabilities, including two former Paralympians—who are passionate about providing the exposure to Parasport.
Let me know if you’re following any masters athletes, or looking forward to Paralympics on the 28th!
