By Ken Stone

DNS means did not start. That appears to be the case for most races in the WAVA Council elections during the world vets meet this summer in Australia.

I’ve learned that only one elective office will be contested at the Brisbane General Assembly -- the biennial meeting of voting delegates during the World Veterans Athletic Championships in July. So far, the only race is for vice president (stadia) between incumbent Jim Blair of New Zealand and WAVA Web site webmaster Rex Harvey of the United States. (Rex also holds a regional WAVA post, some committee assignments as well as positions in USATF Masters.)

This means that WAVA President Torsten Carlius, Executive Vice-President Tom Jordan, General Secretary Monty Hacker, Vice President (Non-Stadia) Ron Bell, Treasurer Giuseppe Galfetti and women’s representative Bridget Cushen are going unopposed in an organization nominally devoted to robust competition.

This must mean that everything’s hunky-dory in Mastersland. Or maybe not. Perhaps word hasn’t circulated far enough that WAVA's election will be more of a coronation. But time is short for any would-be candidates.

Under WAVA rules, nominations for Council candidates have to be in the hands of the WAVA secretary at least 90 days before the General Assembly, which this year appears to be July 11, 2001 -- a rest day in the WAVA meet program. (Nominations from the floor are technically possible, but they appear to be at the discretion of the presiding officer.)

Thus the deadline for anyone wanting to run for WAVA office at Brisbane is April 14. Elections are held every four years, and no officer can hold the same office for more than two terms. Any affiliate of WAVA can submit a nomination for office. (An affiliate is a national governing body -- USATF in the case of America.)

WAVA shouldn’t be an IAAF-like oligarchy, but without some competitive races, it appears the Old Boys Club continues to rule WAVAland.

I’m not saying any of the current crop of officers has done a poor job (although I have my doubts on certain issues), but the legitimacy of an organization is proportional to its willingness to foster debate and encourage new blood.

Right now, I see little of this in WAVA.

Also, FYI:

WAVA webmaster Harvey has just posted the minutes of the September 2000 meeting of the WAVA Stadia Committee -- the group in charge of the nuts and bolts of the world vets meet in Brisbane.

And they are QUITE revealing. Sprinters, jumpers and throwers all have something to chew on. Please review these minutes and keep yourself informed on what WAVA is doing for and to masters athletes. It’s the governing body of OUR sport. Might as well know what it’s up to.