LYON, France, Aug. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USA is sending 426 athletes including many of the world's best to the World Masters Athletics (WMA) outdoor track & field championships August 4-16 in Lyon, France. The team is expected to be among the top contenders both for individual and relay titles, as well as for Gold and overall medal counts by country. The meet has 8,078 competitors from a record 98 nations with athletes 35-99 years old. The American team has 1093 event entries for the 426 athletes.
At the 2014 WMA Indoor Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Americans won 23 golds including relays. A third of entered Americans won medals. No other nation came close to the US Gold or overall total of 59 medals, including 21 Silver and 15 Bronze.
At the 2013 WMA Outdoor Championships in Porto Allegre, Brazil, the USA won the Gold Count, with 83. Among the 58 countries, Americans were second in overall medals, with 183 against 195 from host country Brazil. Australia was third with 148.
In Lyon, track and field including throwing competition is spread among four stadiums: Balmont, Rhone, Pierre Duboeuf, and Laurent Gerin, in addition to non-stadia events. The Marathon bases at the Place Dellecour in the "center city". Athletes will be referring to the meet website and program to see where their events are scheduled.
As in USATF masters championships, athletes are subject to drug testing, in this case under WMA procedures. The prohibited list is published by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency), which identifies "prohibited substances and methods" but notes that "related" substances are also prohibited.
There will be an all-WMA Athletes Party on August 12, and a day of non-competition August 13 for the WMA General Assembly. The US Delegation and team in Lyon will be led by MTF Chair Gary Snyder.
Full list of USA Team athlete entries from team manager Phil Greenwald compiled by name, city, affiliation, best marks for events: http://www.weinerpublic.com/20150723.xlsx. As at previous championships, the team will have a daily meeting.
US and International media coverage is welcome for US athletes – contact USATF National Masters Media Chair Bob Weiner before and during the meet at weinerpublic@comcast.net and cell 202-329-1700. MEDIA CHECK-IN at Media Center, BELMONT STADIUM (the main stadium) 4 Rue Victor Schoelcher, Lyon.
Shot Put, Weight, Hammer, Discus, Throws Pent.
60m, 200,400,60m hurdles, high, long jumps, pole vault, shot, pent.
Hammer, Weight Throw, Shot, Throws Pent.