More than 7000 atheletes from 16 countries will descend on Canberra for one of the nation’s biggest sporting events. Photo: Supplied.
In 100 days Canberra will play host to the 20th Australian Masters Games, as the competition returns to the capital for the first time in 22 years.
The Games were created by the Confederation of Australian Sports in 1987 for Master class athletes – those over the age of 30 to 35 – and is one of the nation’s largest sports festivals.
The event will feature more than 7000 athletes from across Australia and the world, competing in 51 sports across 40 venues in the city.
AMG general manager Adam Drinkwell announced the countdown to the event at a launch at Black Mountain Peninsula.
“There’s a real buzz across Canberra now that we’ve hit the 100 days to go mark. We’ve locked in 50 sports, an exciting week of social events showcasing the best of Canberra and registrations are flowing in from all corners of the country and even internationally,” he said.
According to the organisers, one of the most impressive displays will be the Dragon Boat races. The races will be the largest ever held on Lake Burley Griffin and one of the largest ever seen in Australia, with 390 teams and more than 1200 rowers competing.
Canberra rower and soccer player Lindsay Jordison is a long-time veteran of the Games.
He has competed in all but three since the Games were created in 1987. He said people didn’t see how much training went on behind the scenes, but the games were worth the effort.
“I’ve got a host of gold, silver bands, medals for the different events,” he said.
“I have a lot of friends at these games, it’s great just catching up with different people from all around Australia at these events. We have a lot of fun.”
Adam Drinkwell (left) races rower Lindsay Jordison (right) at the launch event. Photo Nicholas Ward.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said securing the games for Canberra was a part of the government’s commitment to raise tourism spending to $4 billion this year.
“The Games will deliver a timely boost to the economy … you’re going to have people who have a wide variety of sporting and other interests gathering here so it makes a lot of sense for businesses to be a little entrepreneurial about how to attract some of those patrons we’re going to see,” he said.
For the athletes the games are a chance for people of all ages to compete on a national scale. At least two competitors will be over the age of 90.
For Mr Jordison, who is now 63, he said he hoped he would still be competing in his 90s.
“I’ve known people in their 90s who row who are winning world records at that age group. So it’s a sport that you can continue as you get older and it does keep you fit,” he said.
“It certainly helps with mobility and is great, great exercise. I recommend it for anybody who wants to get a bit of fitness.”
With 51 sporting events scheduled, Canberrans will get to experience dozens of sports including swimming, soccer, rowing and even games that some may have never heard of, such as trugo, an Australian game similar to croquet.
For the Chief Minister the game he is most looking forward to seeing is pickleball.
“I used to play tennis when I was younger, but pickleball is appealing because you don’t have to run quite as far,” Mr Barr said.
The games, which are held every two to three years, will be held across the week of 15 October.
Registrations are still open at the Australian Masters Games website.
