To keep you in the loop on the latest news and events surrounding the 2011 WMA Championships, we’ll be posting newsletters from now until early July. We hope to see you in Sacramento!
First off, a friendly reminder that the entry deadline for the 2011 WMA Championships is April 24. Late entries will be accepted until May 2, but there is an additional $50 fee on all late entries. You can save money by registering online by April 24 at wma2011.com.
Schedule Change in Throws Pentathlon
Based on a request from the WMA Stadia Committee to avoid scheduling any throwing event finals on the same days as the throws pentathlons, and to have the throws pentathlons be the last throwing event for each age group, the following changes have made to the daily schedule for the Throwing Pentathlons on 15-17 July:
- Move F70 and above age groups from Saturday, 16 July, to Friday, 15 July
- Move M40 from Sunday, 17 July, to Saturday, 16 July
- Move M65 & M70 from Friday, 15 July, to Sunday, 17 July
No other schedule changes are anticipated. The changes have been made to the online version of the Entry Brochure at wma2011.com.
Specific times in all of the WMA events will be posted after entries close. Stay tuned.
Party Down in Sacramento
The Sacramento Local Organizing Committee is finalizing details for the WMA Athlete Party, set for July 13. It’s shaping up to be a terrific event.
The party will take place in Old Sacramento, a National Historic Landmark District, and at the California State Railroad Museum, widely regarded as North America’s most popular railroad museum. The beautiful museum showcases 21 lavishly restored locomotives and cars, some dating to 1862.
Guests will enjoy food from Sacramento’s best restaurants as well as Northern California microbrews and California wines. There will be live music and dancing.
To purchase your Athlete Party tickets, use the “Register Online Now” link on wma2011.com.
Merchandise on Sale NOW
What better way to arrive in Sacramento than by wearing some official WMA 2011 gear? Quality products are available at good prices at wma2011.com.
Grab Some Shade
To assure comfortable conditions for athletes and spectators, Sacramento 2011 organizers have arranged to cover a large section of the west, or finish line, grandstands at Sacramento State, the main competition venue.
National teams will be able to rent 10-foot-by-10-foot tents between the main track at Sac State and the practice track. Look for more details in an upcoming newsletter.
All’s Well in the New Wellness Center
The 150,000-square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center at Sacramento State didn’t exist when Sacramento organizers submitted their bid for the 2011 WMA Championships four years ago in Italy.
Consider the “Well,” as it’s now known, to be icing on the WMA cake. Situated on south side of the main stadium, the air-conditioned facility will house the information, registration and declaration desks during the 2011 WMA Championships.
Officially the BEST!
You put in the hours and the sweat to get ready to compete against the best age-group athletes in the world. The last thing you want to worry about is the officiating, right?
Worry not. The 225 officials and 100 support volunteers working in Sacramento will be of the highest quality, supervised by an all-star team of WMA and IAAF officials. Assisting Competition Director George Kleeman will be some of the most knowledgeable, experienced officials in the sport:
- Great Britain’s Alan Bell served as the WMA Championships Competition Director in Gateshead, Brisbane and Kamloops. Alan will direct the 2011 competition at the main Sacramento State venue. He’s the head of the IAAF Starters Group and will be the head starter for the London Olympic Games in London.
- Alan will be assisted at Sacramento State by Hannu Numinen and Raimo Kallioniemi, outstanding officials from Finland.
- Michael Serralta of Puerto Rico, the Competition Director for the 2003 WMA Championships, will help run the American River College venue and direct the jumps at Sacramento State.
- Longtime WMA Stadia Chair Rex Harvey of the United States will head up the combined events and the throws pentathlons.
- Jim Flanik of the United States will coordinate the long distance races at Sacramento City College.
- USA Track & Field Officials Chair Len Krsak will coordinate the throwing events.
- Heading up the field technical team will be Bob Springer, head of the USA Officials Equipment and Facilities Specification Subcommittee.
- George Kleeman, the 2011 WMA Championships Competition Director, has officiated at seven previous WMA Championships, serving as one of the International Technical Officials (ITOs) at each of the last four championships. Kleeman served as either the Competition Director or Technical Manager at the last three U.S. Olympic Track & Field Championships and four NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Most of the officials working in Sacramento are Masters-level officials for USA Track & Field. The Masters level designation is reserved for officials who have demonstrated excellence at U.S. meets.
For more information, please visit wma2011.com.
