Americas Masters Games Coming To Vancouver (Aug 26 2016)

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IceManLikeGervin
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In The News

Post by IceManLikeGervin » Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:04 pm

Click link for Province site: http://theprovince.com/news/local-news/ ... ters-games
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This summer, Vancouver is hosting the first-ever Americas Masters Games.

This summer, Vancouver is hosting the first-ever Americas Masters Games. From August 26th through to September 4th, the city will play host to thousands of amateur athletes from around the world, competing in over 25 different sports. What sets the Masters Games apart from other tournaments, though, is that contenders don’t have to be masters of their sport – though many are. All that is required is passion, dedication, and a birth year of 1986 or earlier.

Part of the International Masters Games Association, the Americas Masters Games invites athletes aged 30 to 100 to partake in the excitement and challenge of competing in Vancouver’s world-class sporting facilities. Their mission is to promote the Olympic philosophy of “sport for all”, by celebrating true love of the game, and promoting physical activity at all ages.

Bringing together athletes of all backgrounds and levels of athletic experience, the Games is also one of the few tournaments where para-athletes compete alongside able-bodied athletes, and families spanning generations can register together.

For some, the American Masters Games is a return to competition after the pressure and time restraints of careers ramp up, families grow, and free time to train for competition becomes more scarce. After years of swimming competitively in university and his early life, Ian Robertson ducked out of the competitive circuit in a 13-year absence. Competing again for the first time this year, he reunited with many old friends on the pool deck.

For others, the love of a sport crept up later in life. “I started playing soccer at the age of 40,” says Kate Wolfe, who will be competing in her fourth Masters Games as a member of the women’s soccer team, the Westcoast WINOS (Women In Need of Soccer – although “we all enjoy an occasional glass of wine!” Wolfe is quick to point out). Inspired by watching her children play in soccer leagues of their own, Wolfe and a group of mothers gathered up second-hand equipment, and headed to Dunbar Park to kick a ball around. A number of them took this hobby to the next level, joining a local league, and later going on to play in the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Sydney, and Torino.

Prior to the 2005 World Masters Games in Edmonton, Wolfe had never competed in an international sporting event.“ I was completely blown away by the energy, enthusiasm, global reach and overall excitement of the Games,” she remembers. With thousands of athletes participating from around the world, the opening ceremonies are truly an Olympian affair. Flags wave, athletes adorn their nation’s colours, families celebrate, and bands perform in a 9-day festival celebrating the human spirit and love of sport.

The camaraderie is palpable when speaking to athletes partaking in the games. With less emphasis on winning and more on personal achievement, the competitors find it easy to celebrate others’ success, commiserate over injuries and off-days, and form lifelong friendships. “Being a part of a team has given me an overwhelming sense of community,” says Wolfe.

The Westcoast WINOS have found some unique ways of celebrating with their fellow athletes, including choreographed team dance routines, and a rather interesting souvenir collection – the undergarments of their male competitors. Beginning with the acquisition of a pair from a Bulgarian wrestler in the Edmonton 2005 Games, the challenge was set, and their success in amassing these “priceless” trophies is impressive. Beware, visiting athletes.

For Robertson, already a seasoned competitive athlete, the decision to return to the Masters Games caused self-reflection. “I won’t win at the Americas Masters Games – I didn’t win when I was younger either,” Robertson says. His intention when deciding to re-enter the world of competitive swimming was mostly to challenge himself. With the pressure to win off his shoulders, Robertson has regained focus and found new creativity in his training, taking to the city’s famous salt water Kits Beach Pool for some workouts. “The focus on racing was great, but it was really a means to an end. A multi-year life lesson about team work and perseverance that wasn’t about winning at all, but rather about doing one’s best.”

These are lessons that come with experience and wisdom, two things that the competitors of the Americas Masters Series will have in spades.

For athletes who have been out of the competition circuit for years, or those who have never competed in a large international event like the Americas Masters Games, the prospect might seem a bit intimidating. The dividends are clear though. Robertson advises, “Signing up is really the hardest part.”

Register now: https://www.americasmastersgames2016.com/
Last edited by IceManLikeGervin on Thu Aug 25, 2016 9:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.

IceManLikeGervin
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In The News

Post by IceManLikeGervin » Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:34 am

NSNews http://www.nsnews.com/sports/north-shor ... -1.2332042

VanCourier http://www.vancourier.com/sports/vancou ... -1.2329092

https://twitter.com/BasketballBC
Basketball BC ‏@BasketballBC
America's Masters Games Basketball is underway at UBC.
Come check it out - click here for schedule http://ow.ly/dVXt303CCmz


Click link for full Province article & video: http://theprovince.com/news/local-news/ ... -vancouver
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Middle-distance runner Larissa MacMillan and her teammates aren’t just aiming to win the 4×800-metre relay at the inaugural Americas Masters Games in Vancouver — they want to set a masters world record.

“That, to me, sounded super achievable if you got the right people on your team,” said MacMillan, who lives on a farm about 20 minutes outside of Cochrane, Alta.

She started by convincing Diane Cummins, who holds the Canadian record for the 1,000 metres, was on the Canadian record-holding 4×800-metre team and formerly held the Canadian record for the 800 metres, to come out of retirement and join her team.

“She just brings all her speed and her experience,” said MacMillan. “To get Diane was kind of critical and I was kind of basing the team around her.”

Then, she added Shari Boyle, Courtney Babcock (who holds the Canadian record in the 5,000 metres) and alternate, Kerry McKelvie-O’Brien.

MacMillan last ran competitively about 15 years ago, but decided that for her 40th birthday, which was in June, she wanted a masters world record. She thought the 4×800 metres record for the women’s 40-49 age category, which is 9:18:33 and held by an American team, was breakable.

Her team is entered in the 40-45 age category, everyone has been training hard and MacMillan believes that if the conditions are right, they have a shot.

“I feel ready and I feel like everybody else is pretty ready,” she said.

The Games run from Aug. 26 to Sept. 4, and MacMillan’s event will take place on Aug. 29. It’s the first time the Games have been held in the Americas.

The Games are open to anyone age 30 and up, and there is no requirement for qualification, so there will be opportunities to see all levels of competition in 24 sports.

Rob Newman, president and CEO of Sport B.C. (which is operating the event) and CEO of the Games, said there will be former professional and Olympic athletes, as well as a 100-year-old woman from India who is expected to compete in the 100-m dash.

“There’s going to be human-interest stories that hopefully will get people off the couches and moving forward,” Newman said. “It’s about really inspiring people to get active again.”

Upwards of 5,000 athletes, plus their coaches, families and friends, and spectators, are expected to be in Vancouver during the Games, which will be a boon for tourism.

“People that are coming to town from out-of-province or from the rest of the world will come in and not only experience Vancouver, but will travel to other parts of B.C. as well,” Newman said. “That’s a big win for everybody concerned.”

Although the Americas Masters Games will be held in other countries in coming years, Newman said he hopes that having the Games in Vancouver will create an opportunity for the city to host a new annual masters event in future.

“What better place than Vancouver to host something like that?” Cowan said.

• Registration for the Games officially closes Aug. 19, however, some sports, such as cycling, the triathlon and athletics, will remain open this week. Events will be held across the city, from Stanley Park to the University of B.C. Visit americasmastersgames2016.com for more information or to register.

Active-living tips from a masters athlete

At age 79, masters track and field star Christa Bortignon holds world records in eight events, Canadian records in 33 and B.C. records in about 40 events. She has won more than 400 medals — mostly gold — and in 2013 became the first Canadian woman to be named the World Masters Athletics female athlete of the year. What makes her accomplishments even more impressive is that she has only been competing seven years.

Bortignon’s training went off -track after she was hospitalized for pneumonia and then injured her hamstring doing the triple jump at the B.C. Athletics Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Kelowna last month, so she won’t be competing in the Americas Masters Games, which begin later this week.

However, the West Vancouver resident is back training and hoping to participate in the B.C. Seniors Games in Coquitlam next month.

Here, Bortignon offers some tips for being active in sports at any age.

Do something you love

“I think the most important thing … is to do something you enjoy,” Bortignon said. “If it’s not fun you won’t enjoy it.”

Bortignon took up track and field after she developed arthritis in her wrist and had to give up tennis. She was inspired by Olga Kotelko, who was a track star well into her 90s, to explore track and field. Bortignon likes the variety of sports, the training and the constant challenge.

Join a club

When she first started, Bortignon joined the Greyhound Masters Track & Field Club, which she said was a great venue to try out new sports and find what she enjoyed. Still, some days Bortignon doesn’t feel like training, but she said it’s easier when you have other athletes around to motivate you.

“I think that is really important,” she said. “It’s a lot more fun.”

Set goals

Bortignon has broken her own records multiple times and strives to set records in all events in which she competes.

“When you win or when you beat your own time, you have a sense of achievement — it’s something new to do,” Bortignon said.

Rest!

Bortignon suggests getting enough sleep every night to help with recovery, along with taking time off between training sessions and varying workouts.

“When you go to a meet you have to be really careful because you don’t have a day off,” she said.

Be aware of what you put into your body

Bortignon said that since she started competing she is far more conscious of what she eats, and as a result eats healthier and doesn’t overeat.

She also stressed the importance of drinking enough water, which has been a challenge for her: “It’s really important to avoid cramping or getting sick.”

IceManLikeGervin
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News & Notes

Post by IceManLikeGervin » Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:36 pm

CBC http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.3737309

Province http://www.theprovince.com/news/local+n ... story.html

Georgia Straight http://www.straight.com/blogra/766316/o ... -vancouver

https://twitter.com/BasketballBC
Basketball BC ‏@BasketballBC
Day 2 of Americas Masters Games #theycanstillball @ University of British Columbia https://www.instagram.com/p/BJnwVg_B_-e/

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AMG results are available here http://basketball.bc.ca/americas-masters-games

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IceManLikeGervin
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55+ MBB

Post by IceManLikeGervin » Fri Sep 02, 2016 1:15 am

Click link for CVR site: http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/sports/391924941.html
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Three Comox Valley athletes were among the 12,000 competitors at the Americas Masters Games, and part of the gold medal winning 55+ men’s basketball team.

The Games were played Aug. 26 to Sept. 4 in Vancouver, with UBC hosting the basketball events.

The Canada 1 team, organized by Courtenay’s Larry Street, survived five games in four days to win their pool. They defeated ominous opposition from Spokane,Wash. and other intimidatingly named teams such as ‘Legends and Liars’, and ‘The Silver Grizzlies’. Grant Ashlee, Hugh MacKinnon and Street joined teammates from Vancouver, Calgary and a Canadian ex-pat doctor living and practising in Berlin to form the Canada 1 team.

“At our advanced age we all agreed the most vital team member was having Dr. John from Berlin on the team,” commented MacKinnon, who suffered a wrist injury at the event.

“I was not only the oldest but the shortest on the team so in the land of lots of physical contact with b-ball giants, I was extremely pleased we had a doctor on our team.”

In the semifinals, Canada 1 played the Silver Grizzlies, a team made of ex-UBC basketball players, and came away with a 45-29 win (with games played with 20-minute running time halves).

In the gold medal final the opposition was a younger team from the Fraser Valley. McKinnon said Canada 1 demonstrated old age wisdom, superior shooting skills and a secret stifling defence that included the use of bad breath as a weapon to come away with a decisive 74-41 win and the gold medal.

“Grant played and shot well in the tournament, particularly against the Americans, and Larry led with his inside, outside game and steadying unselfish influence,” MacKinnon noted. “My play was described by an observer as the ‘Tasmanian Devil in basketball shorts,’” he quipped.

“The basketball component to the Games was very well organized and it was nice to see so many Comox Valley Masters athletes competing in all sports.

“It was inspiring to observe senior athletes up to the age of 100 years old competing. Next stop, The World Masters in Auckland, New Zealand in 2017!"

Comox Valley track and field athletes returned from the Games with a large haul of medals. Graham Morfitt collected eight medals in various throwing events while Keith Wakelin, Wayne Crowe and Danny Keyes all had podium performances in their respective running events.

Complete results are at www.americasmastersgames2016.com .

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