On behalf of WMA Council, I welcome all of you to the Unveiling of our very special project, the World Masters Athletics Gallery of Champions.
When we rebranded our organization in 2022, one of our goals was to elevate our commitment of doing more for our Masters athletes. WMA Gallery of Champions recognizes masters athletes who are champions in their sport and in the communities, they live in, for they are inspirational and are making a meaningful difference all around them. We encourage you to visit the gallery on the WMA website to learn more about the WMA Gallery of Champions and the accomplishments of all our champions.
And now, I’m very proud to present to you our newly inducted Champions who have just been appointed WMA Ambassadors, starting with the Champions who are competing in Gothenburg.
Unfortunately, three of our champions were not able to travel to Gothenburg for the Championships. They have appointed someone close to them and their involvement in athletics to accept their Certificate of Induction on their behalf:
Takumi Matsushima, Brazil (Mr. Vicente Hattori from Takumi’s team accepted)
Carol Lafayette-Boyd, Canada (Vern Christensen, President of Canadian Masters Athletics accepted)
Allan Tissenbaum, USA (a friend, Jimson Lee, accepted)
Margit invited Swedish Mattias Sunneborn, Ambassador of the WMAC2024 in Gothenburg, and of WMA Gallery of Champions to say a few words.
Please join me and the WMA Council in congratulating the newly inducted Champions into the inaugural WMA Gallery of Champions, who have also been appointed WMA Ambassadors.
