Review of the new 2024 standards.
The standards have been completely revised and apply to both Indoor (in future “short track” or similar) and Outdoor.
Revision 20231206 of the SMA title and platform standards
WMA has generally revised the age factors and introduced them on 1.1.2023. SMA has determined that only members of SMA are eligible for the podium. These are the two main reasons for rethinking and revising the SMA title and platform standards in general.
In 2003, SMA introduced so-called medal standards for the Masters Championships. They were comprehensively revised and completed in 2012. These standards have been used to this day, with selective adjustments.
In addition to the main reasons mentioned at the beginning, the experience gained with the standards and the review of the justification for such standards are now being added.
In 2003, “quality assurance” was explicitly postulated: “Only good to very good performances should be awarded (…)” and “(…) the values should be at the performance level of the qualification values for the 2002 German Junior Championships”.
In 2011, it was decided to revise the standards because the Men’s Stardards were found to be to too strict. The revision led only slightly to less stringent standards, as “quality assurance” was still postulated.
The current (2023) revision abandons the wishful thinking of “quality assurance”. The justification for the standards is still upheld on the grounds that it is not presence that should be rewarded, but rather that the standard performance is achievable for most participants with relevant training.
The goal remains: Enjoyment of athletics and recognition of performance into old age!
All SMA Masters are invited to participate in the review process.
Please submit substantiated applications to pino.pilotto@bluewin.ch by 15.01.2024.
With many thanks for your efforts.
Lg
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