Christine Müller (SUI) and Wolfgang Ritte (GER): European Best Veterans 2008
During its rotational meeting in Marathon, the Central Office of EVAA, the EVAA Council elected the "European Best Veterans" of 2008. In consideration of the recommendation of the "EBV-commission" the election was in both cases unanimous:
women: Christine Müller (Switzerland)
men: Wolfgang Ritte (Germany)
The tribute to both elected athletes will be at the end of January 2009 in Marathon.
Congratulation to Christine Müller and to Wolfgang Ritte

47 European Federations signed the AD-Declaration
During the Indoor Championships (EVACI) in Helsinki 2007 EVAA started beside the individual campaign against doping ("Declaration of Vaterstetten") an antidoping campaign in co-operation with the European federations: the "Antidoping Declaration of Helsinki".
On the occasion of the European Stadia Championships (EVACS) in Ljubljana, the European Masters Games (EMG) in Malmö and the EAA Convention in Amsterdam the campaign has been continued; at present 47 (of 50 EVAA-affiliates) European federations signed the declaration and with this signature the federations underlined their interests for fair play and clean sport in Europe.
Concerning the "Declaration of Vaterstetten", the individual form of antidoping declaration, more than 770 athletes, coming from 25 countries, signed this initiative.

EVAA President Dieter Massin and Secretary Kurt Kaschke enjoyed the invitation of Valeri Borsov, President of the Ukraine Athletic Federation, to hold a seminar about the "European Athletic Masters' Movement its Past, Present and Future". Delegates from all regional federations were asked to come to Kiev to join the seminar and spent a weekend to create ideas of the masters' movement in Ukraine.

To make sure that the masters' movement take an important role in Ukraine's society the press conference at the beginning of the seminar was supported by the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee Volodja Brinzak and Leonid Smelash President of the Ukrainian Federation of Veterans Athletic.

The first idea that was given birth during the seminar: to organize regional championships among the countries around the Black Sea. The Ukraine makes big steps forward – congratulation to these initiatives.

photo: (l.t.r.) V. Brinzak, D. Massin, V. Borsov, K. Kaschke, L. Smelash

Finale in Montenegro
The first weekend of October is traditional the finale of regional championships in Europe; the Balkan finished the 2008 season in Bar (Montenegro).
More than 600 competitors took park in the 18th Balkan Championships in the seaport of Bar. These 600 competitors came from ten federations of the Balkan region.

EVAA antidoping campaign processes enormously
On the occasion of the Indoor Championships in Helsinki 2007, EVAA started a new campaign: the "Antidoping Declaration of Helsinki". With this campaign EVAA wanted to stress that veterans sport in Europe is always conducted under the rules of fair play and clean conditions.
Following the "Antidoping Congress" in Poznan (POL, 2006), EVAA supported many initiatives for "fair play" and "clean sport" and the European Veterans Association prepared a declaration for this fair sport, the "Antidoping Declaration of Helsinki". 21 federations signed this declaration immediately in Helsinki. In the meantime the number of supportive Federations increased to 31, and the map of Europe shows that the "white" spots decrease.
During the "Balkan Championships" in Podgorica (MNE), first weekend of October, EVAA will continue its campaign and expects to win over more federations for the common goal of "fair play" and "clean sport" in the veterans' movement of Europe.

Welcome Jean Thomas, good bye Pekka Kurki
After ten years as EVAA treasurer Pekka Kurki (FIN) (centre of the photo) handed over his office to Jean Thomas (FRA) (l.). Pekka Kurki could not continue his office as treasurer in accordance to the EVAA constitution. Giuseppe (Peppo) Galfetti took part at this "ceremony". Peppo Galfetti (SUI) (r.) was the first treasurer of EVAA (1978 - 1998) and founder of EVAA as well.
Photo: Wilhelm Köster

Na svidenje Ljubljana! Köszöntés Nyíregyháza!
Good bye Ljubljana, welcome Nyíregyháza. The 16th Veterans Championships in Ljubljana (SLO) are over, Nyíregyháza (HUN) is waiting for the next edition of the veterans championships in 2010.
Marton Gyulai (r.) -General Secretary of the Hugarian Athletics Federation (Magyar Atlétikai Szovetség)- and Czaba Mathe (l) -LOC-President- presented the next organiser of EVACS in Hungary during the General Assembly of EVAA and promised to follow the Ljubljana Championships, i.e. best facilities, good atmosphere, efforts for the athletes and entertaining frame programmes.
To get first impressions of the East-Hungarian city, click on http://www.nyf.hu/others/html/nkk/m42_e.htm

The New EVAA Council
At the General Assembly in Ljubljana 29th July it was decided that the  EVAA Council shall move from 7 to 5 members. The statistician and the Women´s representative will in future be members of EVAA Technical Board. 60 delegates voted for the the proposal, 4 against and 2 abstain.

European Veterans Championship in Ljubljana is opened
At the Opening Ceremony  speeches was made by Peter Kukovica (President  of Slovenian Athletics Federation), Dieter Massin (EVAA-President)  andDr. Milan Zwer (Minister of Education and  Sport)

16 th European Veteran Championships (EVACS) in Ljubljana was opened in the Town Centre (Prešernov trg) of Ljubljana July 23. At 20:00 the National Teams with up to 10 athletes from every nation marched into the Town Centre and had the opportunity to watch the 60 minutes ceremony seated in front of the stage. All joined veteran’s bras band, tamboura orchestra (Dobréč iz Dragatuša), the singing and choir-singing, gymnastics show and as usual speeches of the celebrities. EVACS 2008 is the greatest Athletics Competition ever started in Slovenia, 3693 Athletes from 41 Nations are registered and will compete in 11 days, July 24 – August 3.
Ivar Söderlind

Time table is available (click here)
All preparatiions are done and the time table is finished. The time table is structured day by day, on the left hand side the male events, on the right hand side the female events.
The Ljubljana LOC and the EVAA as well wish all athletes good luck, best performances and a successful time in Slovenia.

2nd Mountain Running Championship
Championships were organized in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, in a real and beautiful mountain landscape. 225 participants from 12 countries were competing on a hard 6,5 km route from 1900 m up to 2900m with altitude difference 970 m. Although the race was difficult, after finishing line we could see only happy faces. This tells also that Mountain running is possible for everyone who is practicing enough. Oldest runners were in M80 and W70.
Championships were organised by LOC of  Lenzerheide which did a great work. All judges and volunteers were helping and giving information with different languages. All service points along the route fulfilled all requirements. Results came in time and awarding ceremony took place in a big tent. Thank you Lenzerheide, we will not forget you!

Plovdiv-Speeches available
In Plovdiv (April, 12) the EVAA-Academy organised the first (world-wide) seminar for women. Selma Türkkal (EVAA-Women-Representative) and Kurt Kaschke (EVAA-Academy-Manager) welcomed three lecturers of world level: Ilse Bechthold (GER, former IAAF-Chairperson of the Women's Committee), Nikolina Stereva (BUL, former world-record-holder) and Prof. Dr. Vesna Repic (SRB, marathon-expert).
Just in time to the General Assembly in Ljubljana the brochure with all speeches will be availbale.
Ex ante the cover of the brochure.

EVAA - Academy met in Plovdiv
Once again EVAA-Secretary Kurt Kaschke organised a seminar through the EVAA Academy. This time Plovdiv was the centre for EVAA Academy. On the occasion of the Balkan Cross in the second biggest city of Bulgaria, in Plovdiv, EVAA invited the participants, delegates and coaches of this championship to the first women seminar worldwide.
Excellent lecturers came to this seminar; first of all Ilse Bechthold (GER), the former chairperson of the IAAF Women's Committee, 2008 elected by the IOC as "sport woman of the year", furthermore Prof. Vesna Repic (SRB) and Nikolina Stereva (BUL), former world record holder 800m. Subject of this seminar were the theses Globality, Identity and Visions of Women's Athletics plus experiences in running.
Selma Türkkal, EVAA Women's Representative, underlined the importance of this seminar and promised a continuation.
Photo:
(f.l.t.r.: Nikolina Stereva, Selma Türkkal, Vesna Repic, Ilse Bechthold and Kurt Kaschke)

EVAA - Meeting in Clermont-Ferrand
In Clermont-Ferrand (during the 3rd World Masters Indoor) the present EVAA - Council Members (f.l.t.r.: Lamberto Vacchi, Kurt Kaschke, Dieter Massin, Selma Türkkal and Vesa Lappalainen) informed the European Delegates about the forthcoming projects and activities, e.g. EVAA Academy-Seminar in Plovdiv, the Stadia Championships in Ljubljana and the deadlines for the General Assembly in Slovenia.
Brian Keaveney (WMA-Vice Non Stadia) -photo right hand side- gave a short introduction to the 4th Indoors in Kamloops (CAN) in March 2009 (1. - 6.)

2010 WMA INDOORS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The WMA Council has voted to award the 2010 INDOORS CHAMPIONSHIPS to Kamloops, Canada/British Columbia, conditional upon Kamloops providing Council with:

1. all the necessary missing bid documentation, including a signed preliminary contract;
2.  a satisfactory formal presentation of their bid in Clermont-Ferrand;
3.  upfront payment of the sanction fee in terms of the preliminary contract, and;
4.  satisfactory proof of their ability to discharge the remainder of the bidder's contractual obligations.

A formal bid presentation to Council will be made on a date to be agreed during the forthcoming 3rd WMA INDOORS CHAMPIONSHIPS in Clermont-Ferrand, between March 20th and 22nd. The Kamloops facilities and infrastructure have been inspected and favourably reported on by a Technical Inspection Team consisting of the WMA Vice-Presidents or their delegates over the weekend of February 15th.

The provisional dates proposed for these Championships are March 1 - 6, 2010.
Council therefore has every reason to anticipate that their above-mentioned requirenments will be satisfactorily met.
Monty Hacker
WMA President (Acting)

Indoors in Clermont-Ferrand: finally, the Entry Doors closed
"Rien ne va plus!" On Sunday, February 10, the registration office of the 3rd WMA-Indoor Championships in Clermont-Ferrand (FRA) closed.
All in all: C.-F. set new records. 3625 athletes from 59 countries entered and will participate in 6781 events.
Devided to the six WMA-Regions Europe is leading the participant-list: 3338 (more than the total number at Linz, two years ago) from 35 European federation will go to France (= 92,1%), followed by North America & Caribic with 173 athletes. Then surprisingly Africa with 56 athletes before South America (26), Oceania (18) and Asia (14).
The host country, France, will send 1267 masters (a new record for a hosting country), followed by with Germany 383, Spain 334, Italy 319 and Great Britain 285. The biggest delegation outside from Europe is the USA-team with 132 masters.

Welcome to Clermont-Ferrand in four weeks! Soyez le bienvenu!

2nd European Masters' Mountain Running Championships in Lenzerheide (Switzerland)After the successful start with the 2006 Mountain Running Championships in Germany, the European Veterans Athletic Association (EVAA) hopes that this new offering for master athletes in Europe will continue to be positively received. With the holding of these championships, the EVAA and World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) have embarked upon new terrain. As a host in the past, Lenzerheide has frequently shown outstanding qualities in the organisation of mountain races.
The EVAA and the WMRA are looking forward to these second European Masters' Mountain Running Championships and expect many runners, their coaches and friends/family who will see that this step is a step into a new future of master sports in Europe. Both associations wish all mountain runners good luck, a good race and hope that they have many beautiful impressions of the region.  
Dieter Massin, EVAA President
 
For more information download the brochure of Lenzerheide
Official homepage of 2nd European Masters Mountain Running Championships

EVAA Head Office opening in Marathon - Greece
The EVAA Head Office since January 26th 2008 is hosted within the building complex of the historic
Classic Marathon Run starting line in the Town of Marathon - Greece.

Read more and also have a look at the video clips

Lenzerheide contract signed

The second European Championships in Mountain Run got contractually in the bag. At the beginning of January the representatives of Swiss Athletics, the WMRA (world body of mountain runners) and the EVAA signed in Berne (house of the sport) the contract for the European Masters Mountain Run Championships (EMMRC), which will take place on 28 June 2008 in Lenzerheide (SUI).

The advertisements to this EMMRC (for the federations) are published on this side.
(read more)

Anti- Doping service for masters

The European Veterans Athletic Association (EVAA) developed in co-operation with proMASTERs / Germany a data base, which enables to determine within a short time whether a medicine with its active substances stands on the WADA list of prohibited substances or not.

The data base is updated constantly and corresponds to the current WADA standard.

Click left on the word "FINDEX" and you are automatically led on the data base. Read attentively all references, which are at present in English and German. Further languages will follow.

Federations, which would like to publish by left this FINDEX on their web page, take please contact with EVAA President Dieter Massin.

EVAA wishes much success in using the FINDEX and much success in the year of the WC Indoor in Clermont-Ferrand (FRA), the Mountain EVAC in Lenzerheide (SUI) and the Stadia EVAC in Ljubljana (SLO)

Anti-Doping Service für Mastersportler

Der Europäische Senioren Leichtathletik-Verband (EVAA) hat in Zusammenarbeit mit proMASTERs Deutschland eine Datenbank entwickelt, die es ermöglicht, in kurzer Zeit zu ermitteln, ob ein Medikament mit seinen Wirkstoffen auf der WADA-Liste der verbotenen Substanzen steht oder nicht.

Die Datenbank wird laufend aktualisiert und entspricht dem aktuellen WADA-Standard.

Klicken Sie links auf das Wort "FINDEX" und Sie werden automatisch auf die Datenbank geleitet. Lesen Sie aufmerksam alle Hinweise, die derzeit in Englisch und Deutsch vorliegen. Weitere Sprachen folgen.

Verbände, die per Link diesen FINDEX auf ihrer Webseite veröffentlichen möchten, nehmen bitte Kontakt auf mit EVAA-Präsident Dieter Massin.

Viel Erfolg bei der Nutzung des FINDEX und viel Erfolg im Jahr der Hallen-WM in Clermont-Ferrand (FRA), der Berglauf-EM in Lenzerheide (SUI) und der Stadion-EM in Ljubljana (SLO)

Don't forget: TUE ( Therapeutic Use Exemption) application

A friendly hint from EVAA to all competitors for the World Masters Athletics Championships Indoor in Clermont-Ferrand (FRA), March 17 to 22:
don't forget the  TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) application.
In case of using pharmaceuticals please remember that you have to fill TUE application forms.

The "TUE Application" must be submitted at least 21 days (i.e. 25 th February) before the first day of the international competition/championship in which the athlete wishes to compete using the prohibited substance.

 Further information you can read on the homepage of WADA.

The "TUE Form", which you can download from our websiste be sent to:  
Karri Wichmann, Ritarikatu 7, FIN 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Fax: +358 – 9 – 6213379, e-mail: karriw@netlife.fi
who is appointed to handle exemption applications on behalf of WMA.