31 July 2009 - Sydney on track to host the biggest ever World Masters Games

Sydney on track to host the biggest ever World Masters Games Sydney (AUS) - 31 July 2009   Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay tonight announced that Sydney is on track to stage the largest ever World Masters Games this October with more than 28,000 people having registered for the event. Ms McKay said registrations for the Games closed at 5pm tonight and there has been a fantastic response to the World Masters Games in Sydney from international and domestic competitors.   “At last count we had 28,091 people registered for the Games with a large portion of these registrations coming from overseas. This is a fantastic vote of confidence for Sydney and the World Masters Games,” Ms McKay said.   “It reinforces what a drawcard Sydney is as an international destination particularly as this year’s Masters Games has had to contend with travel deterrents such as the Global Financial Crisis and Swine Flu.”   Ms McKay said the most popular sports include athletics, football, softball, swimming and rowing.    “We have over 170 teams competing in the football, which will be Australia’s largest ever football competition held,” Ms McKay said.    Ms McKay said registered athletes include 101 year old Griffith athlete Reginald Trewin, the Games oldest athlete, competing in the lawn bowls.   “We also have registrations from a netball team from Sri Lanka, a softball team from Botswana and a volleyball team from Lithuania,” Ms McKay said.   “There will also be a vast array of skill levels on display during competition with nearly 200 registrations received from former Olympic athletes, including participants from the Beijing Olympics of 2008 and the Berlin Olympics of 1936.   “With this sort of diversity and international representation on display this October we can look forward with confidence to Sydney hosting what will truly be a memorable event.”   Ms McKay said the Games will run from 10-18 October and will feature 28 sports at 72 venues across Sydney and NSW, including many Olympic sites.   Some sports will still accept late entries to enable as many people as possible to be part of the event. Please visit www.2009worldmasters.com for more information.   Media contacts Minister McKay: Lee DAVELAAR Phone: +61 418 269 508 Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Organising Committee: Mark WORWOOD Phone: +61 408 894 935   Edited FITA Communication