Media/Archives

Press Release Archives

• 02.03.10 -Information for:
  • Canadian athletes entering the Championship
  • US athletes entering the Championship
• 02.03.10 - It’s not too late! Late entry deadline is February 9, 2010
  
• 01.21.10 - NEWS FLASH – Entry deadline has been extended to January 23, 2010
  It isn’t too late to register for the 2010 World Masters Indoor Athletics Championships!
  
  The Kamloops Local Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that athletes from 49 countries have thus far registered for this world-class track and field event, which will be held March 1-6 and will be based at the Tournament Capital Centre. The committee has heard from more countries who also wish to enter, so local organizers in consultation with World Masters Athletics have decided to extend the early registration deadline (and early-bird pricing) two weeks to Jan. 23.
  
  Countries who have registered athletes to date include: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United States
  
  
  
  
• 12.11.09 - December Travel Tips to get to Kamloops
  • Contact David Provo with Vision Travel 2000
    • Independent Travel Services provided by David Lee Provo to get to the Venue
    • Airfares from International, US and Canadian cities
    • Air and Motor Coach packages available thru Seattle Intl Airport
    • Visit www.travelman.ca for information and current pricing
    • Or contact me directly at dprovo@vision2000travel.ca or +1 778 355 7500
    
    
  • Contact Nicky Cox with Goway Travel Ltd.
    • Flights from Toronto to Kamloops; Goway Travel has a block of confirmed seats departing February 27 or 28 and returning March 07, deadline December 18th. Prices start from $693.00 plus taxes per person. For more information please call 1 866 913 6918 or email events@goway.com
    
    
  • Contact Robert Thomas, Vice Chairman of USATF Masters T&F
    • Robert is organizing a bus from Seattle to Kamloops, leaving Seattle February 27 and returning March 7. The price is $130.00. Contact Robert at rjttrack@hotmail.com for more information.
    
    
  
  
• 11.20.09 - New information for all pole vaulters
  See the updated information on the ATHLETE page in the Implement section regarding poles.
  
  
• 11.20.09 - Media Accreditation Form
• 11.13.09 - November Tips for Registering
  a. Remember the deadline for registering is January 9, 2010. Late entry is February 9, 2010 but there is a $25 per event late entry fee.
  b. There will be a 4 x 200 Relay but you can not register prior to the event. The teams will be selected during the Championship.
  c. Remember to purchase the $25 Transportation Pass when you register. The World Masters Shuttle Bus will be a convenient way to move around Kamloops.
  d. Sign up for the RSS feature on our website and receive notice of our updates. New information is being posted weekly. Stay informed of what’s new. Find out about the arrangements for the Opening Ceremony, Athletes Party and Beer Gardens as they are finalized.
  e. The LOC is hard at work preparing to welcome all the Masters athletes. Visit the Photo Gallery page and see them go about their work.
  
  
  
• 10.23.09 - Clarification of the fees
  1. Everyone must pay the Registration Fee, WMA Athlete Levy and the WMA Doping Control Surcharge, totaling $75. Each event you enter is an additional $25.
  2. The Half Marathon entry fee is $55 and the Cross Country and the Road Race Walk are $25 per event. The Pentathlon is $60.
  3. A late entry fee of $25 per event will be levied on all registrations and payments arriving in Kamloops AFTER January 9, 2010. To avoid this penalty please ensure your entries are received by your national association in plenty of time.
  4. All Transportation fees on the Entry Form are optional but we highly recommend you purchase the Transportation Pass. The World Masters Transportation Pass allows you to use the World Masters shuttle bus service, which will travel hourly throughout the day and evening between all venues, the Athletes Village and accommodations. The Pass will also take you to and from the Athletes Party on March 3.
  5. The Athletes Party is optional. It will be a great party and we suggest you book your ticket when you register. There may be a few tickets available when you arrive.
  6. The Pre-Ordered meals are a great way to ensure you have a healthy meal without having to leave the area. The meals will be served in the Athletes Village, a short walk through the beautiful TRU campus. The bag lunches will be delivered to the Fieldhouse each day.
  
  
  
• 10.23.09 - ATHLETES: Important Info regarding entry process
  ATHLETE ENTRY SYSTEM: Athletes are expected to follow the registration instructions of their National Masters Affiliate organization. Along with your Entry form and payment you will be expected to include proof of age. To be accepted by the Kamloops LOC the Affiliate will affix its validation stamp which verifies entry endorsement and receipt of the Athlete’s payment. The Affiliate assumes the financial responsibility of forwarding the payment to the Kamloops LOC before the deadline.
  
  Please contact info@kamloops2010masters.com if you need contact information regarding your affiliate.
  
  DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Athletes should be aware January 9, 2010 is the deadline the affiliates must have their total entries and payment submitted to the LOC. Individual affiliates/federations will have an earlier deadline, usually two weeks prior. Please contact your country’s affiliate for their exact date.
  
  PAYMENT: Athletes must make full payment to their national affiliate, NOT to the LOC. Please contact your affiliate for their specific instructions.
  
  EXCEPTIONS: ONLY individual athletes from countries that have NO recognized National Masters Affiliate may file their entry and payment directly with the Kamloops World Masters Indoor Championships. Please email info@kamloops2010masters.com before sending your entry. You will then be informed of the process.
  
  
  
• 10.23.09 - October Tips for Travelling to Kamloops
  a. Consider travelling to Kamloops via Greyhound bus. The express bus from downtown Vancouver is as quick as driving yourself. Book your tickets now and receive a 50% discount. Visit www.greyhound.ca for more details.
  b. If you are travelling with a large group email Stacey at Stacey@sunfuntours.ca in Kamloops and arrange to charter your own bus from Vancouver. They have buses in a variety of sizes.
  c. For those of you travelling through Toronto, why not take a direct flight from Toronto to Kelowna with WestJet. Rent a car in Kelowna (which is a short two hour drive from Kamloops) and spend a day or two visiting the beautiful Okanagan valley. Visit www.westjet.com for information about flights to Kamloops and Kelowna.
  d. Our American athletes might want to book one of the direct flights from Seattle to Kelowna with Alaska/Horizon Airlines and take the same trip through the Okanagan valley. Visit www.alaskaair.com to learn more.
  e. As of October 23 there were rental cars available in Kelowna. Book early to avoid disappointment.
  f. And remember it is only a 5 hour drive from Seattle to Kamloops. Rent a car in Seattle and enjoy the beautiful drive through the Canadian Cascade Mountains. Road conditions in early March are good.
  
  
• 10.02.09 - BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION NOW
  “Please be advised that there is no longer a third party accommodation booking engine in place for the 2010 World Masters Indoor Championships. All reservation requests will now be completed directly with the property of your choice. Information on each of the participating accommodators in Kamloops is available on the Tourism Kamloops website at:
  www.tourismkamloops.com/home_showSection_ID_668.html
  
  The overall costs for accommodations without a third party commission in place will now be lower and will allow for more flexibility and convenience to the athletes with regards to room deposits and minimum night stay requirements.
  
  A secured room block with special World Masters room rates are in place over the dates of the 2010 World Masters Indoor Championships until the room block is filled.”
  
  
• 09.15.09 - September Tips for Travelling to Kamloops
  a. Book your flights early – the Winter Olympics are being held in Vancouver and flights may be scarce.
  b. Flights into Kamloops only originate in Calgary and Vancouver. Again, a flight from Calgary might be less stressful than a transfer in Vancouver.
  c. Hotels in Canada are priced per room, not per person. Ask how many people can sleep in the room, some rooms can hold up to 4 people. Many rooms also have kitchens.
  d. For information about bus travel in Canada please go to www.greyhound.ca.
  e. For information about rail travel in Canada please go to www.viarail.ca.
  
  
• 09.03.09 - 2010 World Masters Welcomes Prestigious Competition Director
  The organizing committee for the 2010 World Masters Indoor Athletic Championships is pleased to announce that Alan Bell will serve as Competition Director when the event is held in Kamloops on March 1-6, 2010.
  
  "I hope to help Kamloops deliver a memorable event for so many athletes who will visit your city," Bell says.
  
  Bell hails from Carlisle, in the United Kingdom. He works as International Development Co-ordinator for the Youth Sport Trust, which is based at Loughborough University in Leicestershire. One of his priorities is the 2012 Olympic Legacy program known as International Inspirations.
  
  But it's his background as an athletics official that makes it such a coup for the Kamloops organizing committee to have obtained his services.
  
  Bell is a chief technical officer for UK Athletics. He has officiated at such events as the Commonwealth Games and the World Indoor Championships. He was an IAAF technical observer at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Summer Games, and last month was in Berlin working at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships.
  
  "I had the privilege of starting the 100-metre world record," Bell says of Usain Bolt's 9.58-second winning time.
  
  In addition, Bell has acted as Meet Director at several IAAF/World Masters Athletics Championships, and was a starter at last month's World Masters Outdoor Championships in Lahti, Finland.
  
  In 2007, Bell reached the pinnacle of officiating when he was appointed to the IAAF International Starters Panel — one of just six people in the world to serve in that office. He now is chairman of the group.
  
  In addition to the World Masters Championships in Kamloops, Bell has been tabbed to work at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the 2011 World Masters Outdoor Athletic Championships in Sacramento. He is involved in the delivery of the athletics program for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games.
  
  "Alan is a significant individual in the track and field world," says Judy Armstrong, co-chairperson of the Kamloops World Masters Championships. "It's significant that he's coming here."
  
  Click Here to see Bell's CV
  Click Here to see a photograph
  
  
• 08.11.09 - World Masters Championships Committee Welcomes New Media Director

  Kamloops, BC – Co-chairmen Judy Armstrong and Bob Cowden are pleased to announce the appointment of Tracy Watson as Media Director for the 2010 World Masters Indoor Athletics Championships, which will be held at the Tournament Capital Centre on March 1-6, 2010.

  
  

  "We are excited to have Tracy on our board," Armstrong says. "She brings with her a vast knowledge of the sport of track and field, and for this event it is extremely important. She will do an excellent job and the board looks forward to working with Tracy."

  
  

  Tracy Watson is Editor and Art Director at Think Green Publishing, a boutique magazine publishing house that produces, among other publications, Arrival Kamloops and arrivalmagazine.com, Construction - The Magazine, Thrive and PressLines.

  
  

  Watson joined Think Green in November 2008 after 15 years in the newspaper business, first as a reporter at the Regina Leader-Post and Nanaimo Daily Free Press, and then for a dozen years as the associate sports editor at the Kamloops Daily News. As the amateur sports beat writer at the Daily News, Watson learned a lot about track and field by covering the local athletics scene. She can remember when talented youngsters such as Dylan Armstrong and Gary Reed first joined the Kamloops Track and Field Club, and marvels that they now are international track and field superstars.

  
  

  A graduate of the University of Regina School of Journalism, Watson has been fortunate to have studied under the likes of Canadian legends such as Knowlton Nash and Laurier LaPierre. Watson also has freelanced extensively in the sports world, particularly in publications geared toward junior hockey and figure skating.

  
  

  As the Media Director for the 2010 World Masters Indoor Championships, Watson will be responsible for directing all media inquiries, as well as co-ordinating press releases and website content. When the event gets underway in March, she will be on site to help working journalists get the information they require to cover the championships.

  
  

  "I am excited to have been asked to join the local organizing committee for the 2010 World Masters Championships," Watson says. "After years of being on the other side of the notebook, I understand how important it is to have a good communications department for an event of this magnitude. Now that I'm no longer in a position to cover such events, I'm happy to be part of it in another capacity."

  
  

  Media Contact:
  Tracy Watson
  Media Director, 2010 World Masters Indoor Championships
  masters2010media@hotmail.com or editor@thinkgreenpublishing.com

  
  

  Judy Armstrong
  Kamloops Co-Chair, 2010 World Masters Indoor Championships
  250-319-6321
  j2armstrong@shaw.ca

  
  

  Bob Cowden
  Kamloops Co-Chair, 2010 World Masters Indoor Championships
  250-377-4586
  250-319-2908
  rcowden@shaw.ca

  
  
• 07.31.09 - WestJet News
  Now it's even easier to get to Kamloops for the 2010 World Masters Indoor Championships! WestJet Airlines is expanding its service at the Kamloops Airport to include service to and from Vancouver. WestJet already flies daily between Kamloops and Calgary. Beginning Nov. 1, 2009, WestJet will depart Kamloops at 10:45 a.m., arriving in Vancouver at 11:41 a.m. The return flight will depart Vancouver at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Kamloops at 1:19 p.m. As well, WestJet will depart Calgary at 10:05 a.m. and arrive in Kamloops at 10:12 a.m. The return flight will depart Kamloops at 2 p.m. and arrive in Calgary at 3:57 p.m. Flights departing from Toronto at 7:15 a.m. now will have an easy connection into Kamloops via Calgary. Kamloops Airport also is served by Air Canada and Central Mountain Air. Visit www.kamloopsairport.com for more information.
  
  
• 06.05.09 - Board of Directors Announced

  Kamloops, B.C.—The City of Kamloops in partnership with the Kamloops Track and Field Club will host the first World Masters Indoor Championship in North America on March 1-6, 2010.
  Athletes both men and women, thirty-five years of age and above in five year age groups will compete in a full range of indoor track and field events at the Tournament Capital Centre such as running, jumping, throwing, and race walking. There will also be a half-marathon on Tranquille Road beyond the airport, an eight kilometre cross-country run at McArthur Island Park and a 10 kilometre race-walk on Schubert Drive. There is no qualifying standard so the event is open to everyone to participate.
  
  The six-day event will attract an estimated 3,000 visitors to the City including athletes, coaches, medical staff, officials and families and will spend approximately $2.25 million during their stay.
  
  Bob Cowden, a volunteer leader in many sporting organizations in the Kamloops region, will co-chair the championships, along with event & meet manager Judy Armstrong.
  
  Additional members of the World Masters Championship Board of Directors are: Kris Austin (Accommodation), Carol Allen (Accreditation & Registration), Helen Newmarch (Ceremonies), Byron McCorkell (Facilities), Allan Bell (Competition Chair), Al McLeod (Competition Equipment Manager), Brian Beck (Entry Chair), Doug Stewart (Finance), Doug Wittal and Rick Kurzac (Friends of the Games), Gerard Hayes (Food & Hospitality Services), Sandra Dever (Medal Coordinator), Andy Philipot (Medical), Neville Flanagan (Non-Stadia Event Manager), John and Carol Cull (Officials), Barb Waters (Results & Video), Shannon Wallis (Games Secretary), Gord Giles (Security), Peter Fejfar (Technical Manager), Tony Dufficy (Transportation), Chris Whyte (Volunteer Director) Remzi Karahasan (Website Management) and Brian Keaveney (WMA Liaison).
  
  Bob Cowden
  Kamloops Chair,
  2010 World Masters Indoor Championships
  (250) 377-4586
  (250) 319-2908
  

  
  
• 06.05.09 - Kamloops To Host World Indoor Master Athletics Championships in 2010

  On the advice of Canadian Master President Brian Keaveny to send a delegation to Clermont – Ferrand, City of Kamloops Director Byron McCorkell, President of the Kamloops Track and Field Club, Judy Armstrong and past director Al McLeod traveled to France and met with World Athletic Association Council Members, event organizers, officials and made a presentation to the council and Kamloops came out a winner! World Masters is made up of athletes from the ages of 35 years and up. They compete in 5 year increments and can have competitors to age 90 competing. Kamloops will have a full range of track and field events indoors, with throws (javelin, discus, and hammer) outdoors and non-stadia events schedules. They include a half marathon on Tranquille Rd, an eight kilometer cross-country run at MacArthur Island and a 10 kilometer race-walk on Schubert Drive. It is estimated that this will turn into a 1.5 million dollar cash infusion for the city as these athletes are very interested in coming to and seeing our country while they are here.

  
  

  The six day event is hoped to draw over 2000 athletes competing; however, after the trip delegates feel that number will increase as it’s the first time held in North America , therefore bringing more Americans. The World Masters 2010 has now formed a committee that will work towards hosting one of the biggest track and field athletic events ever hosted in the province with a city that is known for its hospitality and volunteers.

  
  
• 06.05.09 - World Masters Indoors is coming to Kamloops March 1-6, 2010

  BE A PART OF IT… REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY, YOUR CITY AND COMPETE OR VOLUNTEER!

  
  Athletic disciplines include all common stadium events (running, jumping, throwing and race walking) as well as non-stadium events (marathon, half marathon, cross country races and the road race walking) Indoor Championships offer stadia indoor events as well as winter outdoor throwing events (javelin, discus, and hammer) and Non Stadia events such as the 1/2 marathon, 8 km cross country and 10 km road race-walk. Indoor and Outdoor Championships are held in alternate years in a different country. We expect broad international representation of athletes ranging from several hundred of the larger countries to sometimes over 1,000 from the host country) to host a few from smaller or poorer countries. Athlete’s participation is 100 % funded by them. There are no monetary rewards for athletes, medals and diplomas are awarded for the first three finishers.
  
  Every championship is a meet of high level athletic performance with new age group records being achieved at every championship. Ex-Olympians as well as the person next door have equal opportunity to compete together and have fun doing so. World Masters Athletics keep records of all our official events in five year age groups, Information on the WMA and photos are available on the website at www.world-masters-athletics.org. Athletes have become friends for life with many of their fellow competitors and visit them in their travels.