World Masters Games
An initiative of the New South Wales Government, Sydney will host the seventh World Masters Games from 10-18 October 2009. The World Masters Games have been held every four years since they began in Toronto, Canada in 1985. Australians have a strong Masters sport presence and the 2009 event will be the third time that the World Masters Games have been staged in Australia after Brisbane (1994) and Melbourne (2002).
Open to people of all abilities and most ages, the World Masters Games are the world's largest multi-sport event, attracting up to three times more competitors than the Olympic Games. A significant, fundamental difference between the World Masters Games and the Olympic Games is that World Masters Games are open to people of all abilities rather than just elite athletes, with the emphasis on participation. To compete at the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games people need only satisfy their sport's minimum age criterion, which is as low as 25 for diving and swimming and is not above 35 for any of the 28 sports.
Sydney 2009 World Masters Games organisers expect 25,000 people from upwards of 100 countries will compete across 28 sports at more than 70 venues throughout the city, showcasing Sydney Olympic Park which will be the home of the Games and well known Olympic sites in Bankstown, Blacktown, Liverpool and Penrith. A volunteer workforce of approximately 6,000 people will assist the Organising Committee in delivering of the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games, the next big event on the city's calendar and whose motto is fit, fun and forever young.
Previous World Masters Games
2005: Edmonton, Canada
2002: Melbourne, Australia
1998: Portland, United States of America
1994: Brisbane, Australia
1989: Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning, Denmark
1985: Toronto, Canada
CLICK HERE to visit Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Website.