ADMINISTRATION
The international governing body of veteran athletics is the World Association
of Veteran Athletes (WAVA).
Any country, subject to meeting established criteria, may become affiliated to
WAVA.
Administration of WAVA is the responsibility of a Council consisting of its President,
Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Delegates from regions, and 3 other appointees
(Women's Representative, IAAF Representative, and the previous President).
The Council is elected at a General Assembly of Affiliates, held every two years
in conjunction with the WAVA Track & Field Championships. These are held
in the odd-numbered years.
As in any developing association, there have been periods of dissent between
national bodies and within the executive structure. However, WAVA today is a
strong organisation with considerable and increasing responsibilities. The costs
of running such an organisation are high, and are basically funded by levies
on competitors at WAVA Championships.
There are also six regional bodies - North America, South America, Asia, Europe,
Africa, and Oceania.
OAVA Affiliates have been strong supporters of WAVA throughout its existence,
and a number of their members have given considerable service to WAVA over the
years.
WAVA has a close relationship with the IAAF (the controlling body for world athletics). HISTORY
Older athletes had been continuing to compete in open athletics over the years
with some notable successes, but it was not until 1972 that positive moves began
towards what was to become the very large veteran athletic movement we know today.
In 1968, road running became the first international veteran organisation when
a body with the initials ‘IGAL’ was formed. This body held regular
international marathon and road races until it was eventually absorbed into WAVA,
with the first WAVA Road Championships being held in Birmingham, England in 1992.
Groups of veteran athletes were gradually forming associations over a period
of time. Following the 1972 Olympics at Munich, groups of athletes from the USA,
Canada and Australia took part in the first truly international veteran track
and field meeting at Crystal Palace, London, and later visited other European
countries. Their enthusiasm led to the first World Veteran Athletic Championships
being held in Toronto, Canada in August, 1975, organised by the Canadian Masters
Association. At that meeting a steering committee was formed to create a formal
world association, and WAVA was officially formed at the second Championships
at Gothenburg, Sweden in 1977.
WAVA Championships for both stadia and non-stadia events have been held every
two years since their inception. Track and Field Championships have been held
in the Oceania Region in 1981 (Christchurch, New Zealand) and in 1987 (Melbourne,
Australia). The 2001 Championships were be held in Brisbane, Australia. The 2003
Championships were in Carolina, Peurto Rico while the 2005 Championships will
be held in San Sebastian Spain.
The IGAL road championships were held in Palmerston North, New Zealand in December
1980. Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand has hosted the 2004 event.