WMA Championships History

• ▶Held 23 times, very first in Toronto in 1975 and the latest held in Malaga in 2018.
• ▶The championships have been hosted once in Asia (1993, Japan), seven times in the Americas, ten times in Europe, four times in Oceania, and once in Africa.
• ▶Held on a biennial basis, alternating between outdoor and indoor events (the 2017 indoor championships was held in Daegu).

Mission of WMA

WMA is to host the competition for athletes (men and women aged 35 and over) to participate with fair competition spirit under global friendship celebrating each other’s achievements.

History of Masters/Veteran Athletics

The early participants in veteran athletics were mostly road runners, leading to the formation of the International Gathering of Masters (IGAL) in 1968, which laid the foundation for the World Masters Athletics Federation (WMA). The first marathon championship was held in the Netherlands, but interest in masters athletics was also strong in New Zealand. This interest spread to the United States, where the U.S. Masters Track Team was founded in 1965, followed by international veteran athletics competitions.

Organizational Objectives of WMA

To Prepare, regulate, and manage athletics competitions for masters (men and women aged over 35 and over).

To approve international masters athletics competitions, including the World Masters Athletics Championships.

To approve and register world records of age groups (by 5-year age groups) and preserve data on the performances of outstanding participants.

Foster international friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation through masters athletics competition.

Glossary

• ○ Non-Stadia : Athletics competitions held outside of stadiums, often on roads. Most long-distance events take place as Non-Stadia events.
• ○ Stadia : Athletics competitions held inside stadiums, typically comprising track events (running) and field events (throwing and jumping) on oval tracks.
• ○ Masters : Men and women aged 35 and over.
• ○ WMA : World Masters Athletics, the governing body for masters athletics worldwide, designated by the World Athletics Federation as the international organizing body for masters athletics competitions.