JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA TO BID FOR THE WORLD MASTERS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2018 OR 2020 ?
JOHANNESBURG, CITY OF GOLD, (SOUTH AFRICA) A WORLD CLASS AFRICAN CITY to bid for the hosting of the World Masters Athletics Championships in 2018 or 2020. The city has the infrastructure – stadiums, transport, and accommodation to host the championships which takes place over a fortnight. The first World Masters Athletics Championships took place in 1975, and since then have been held every 2 nd year. The number of participants are only second to the Olympic Games and have in the past ranged from 3000 – 7000 athletes coming from approx. 90 countries, representing all walks of life – from the social athlete to the highly competitive. These championships give athletes the opportunity to meet like-minded athletes from all over the world and rub shoulders with past Olympians. Track and Field events for masters consist of all the usual Olympic track and field events. Women also participate in such events as steeplechase and pole vault. To