What is WMA?
World Association of Veteran Athletes), subsidized by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) but with a much smaller budget — about $80,000 a year. (At Brisbane, Australia, in July 2001, delegates voted to change WAVA to WMA to boost prospects of marketability — gaining corporate and other sponsors). WMA — with 125 affiliate countries — sponsors regional and world masters track championships. World outdoor meets are held every two years. Japan hosted in 1993, Buffalo (N.Y.) in 1995 and Durban, South Africa, in July 1997. The 1999 meet was hosted by Gateshead, England, and the 2001 meet was in Brisbane, Australia. The 2003 World Veterans Athletic Championships were awarded to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but that fell through and Puerto Rico hosted the meet. The 2005 world masters meet was in San Sebastian, Spain. The meet moves to Riccione, Italy, in 2007 and Lahti, Finland, in 2009. The 2002 World Masters Games — a multisport event — was held in Melbourne, Aust
