| Ancona delivers a superb final day – April 3, 2016 The city of Ancona says goodbye to the European Masters Athletics Championships Indoor, which animated Marche regional capital, with the enthusiasm of more than 3092 athletes from 41 countries. A total of 13 world records and 13 European records of different age groups were set. |  |
Six days that, beside the competitions, told many life stories, each with different colours and emotions, but perfectly summarized by the words of the almost centenary Italian Giuseppe Ottaviani: “Athletics is joy!”.
Great excitement on the final day, with the French Maryvonne Icarre demolishing the 400 meters W50 world record. She lowered it to 1:00.17, having already carried out two days before also the 200 meters’ one. Born in 1965 and now working as English teacher, she was in the national junior team as a sprinter but then she stopped at 18, to resume at the age of 37, initially with the road races and then again in the sprint on the track.
Two more world records in the relays: Germany 4×200 W50 with Katja Berend, Heike Jörg, Annette Kögst, Birgit Burzlaff in 1:50.40 and Great Britain’s 4×200 W75 including Mollie Mills, Eva Osborne, Betty Stracey, Dorothy Fraser in 3:03.64. Then two European records, both British thanks to Caroline Marler running 1:13.57 on 400 W65 and 4×200 M70 relay with Terry Bissett, James Smith, Glyn Sutton, Victor Novell in 1:55.51. Medal table is topped by Germany, ahead of Italy, Great Britain, France and Finland. In total 34 nations won at least one medal.
The baton might go to Apeldoorn in the Netherlands for EMACI 2018 but more preparation has to be done before.
“It has been a beautiful adventure – the words of FIDAL Marche’s President Giuseppe Scorzoso – though not always easy. Thanks to everyone, first and foremost athletes, who contributed to make these days unforgettable, and the untiring work of judges and volunteers”. The closing ceremony was also attended by Andrea Guidotti, Ancona City Councillor for Sports, and Jerzy Krauze, EMA Vice-President.
Luca Cassai
translated by Barbara Greco (FIDAL)
PHOTO: Maryvonne Icarre (FotoGP / FIDAL Marche)