World Masters Athletics 2022 in Tampere, KARHU partnered with ATHLETA magazine to capture the exploits and stories from the participants. Portraying the spirit of the championships is a true example of ‘Every Runner’s Rights’.
Source: World Masters Athletics 2022 Tampere Finland
BARRY FERGUSON – UK
Barry Ferguson is an 80-year-old British sprinter and hurdler. Born in Jamaica and settled in London, Barry rediscovered athletics after a long period of inactivity and has been competing in World Masters Athletics for decades. His wry wisdom in these sports environments qualifies him as an athlete and, simultaneously, a mentor.
Athlete’s often fade into the history books after their 30s. In the NFL there is Tom Brady, who is over 40, but he is the exception, not the rule. Vince Carter played until he was 40, Kareem did also, but these are not common instances. In basketball, the Big3 basketball league has allowed former collegiate and NBA stars to recapture their glory, but there is only one sport that has long celebrated older athletes, track and field. The stories of why track and field athletes have chosen to compete in master’s divisions make for compelling narratives perfect for documentaries. Every year at the Penn Relays there is a moment where we see an athlete, elevated in years, doing the impossible. It makes us smile and cheer. For the athlete it reminds them of what they were, and it inspires the rest of us to get off of the couch and improve our health.
Don’t think that these are just a grouping of old athletes walking into the arena. There isn’t any doubt, these are warriors. Take one look at the 60-year-old division 100-meter video above and you see immediately that this isn’t a game. This is serious business. Karhu made the effort to share the narratives of some of these men and women as they competed in the Worlds in Finland, the home of Karhu. The stories of 80-year-old Barry Ferguson are common, but there are other stories Karhu is helping to share which are legacy building narratives.
IVAN GONZALO ORTIZ – PUERTO RICO
Ivan Gonzalo Ortiz is a 76-year-old sprinter from Puerto Rico. He reached the WMA tracks in Tampere accompanied by his younger brother and many compatriots who treat him and his Caribbean wit with respectful reverence. Ivan runs the 100 and 200 meters with only one goal: to pay tribute to and pass on the memory of his lamented father.
As Eugene Oregon 2022 captures the imagination of the World with amazing performances from Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin and 36-year-old Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price, the quiet stories of Ivan Gonzalo are being shared by Karhu. I just wanted you to know about it: World Masters Athletics 2022 Tampere Finland – Karhu US
“I LEFT FOR FINLAND FOR ONLY ONE REASON: I WANT TO REDEEM MY FATHER’S NAME. GUILLERMO ORTIZ WAS PUERTO RICO’S GREATEST ATHLETE IN THE 1920S AND TODAY IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT HIM, NO ONE MENTIONS HIM, NO ONE TALKS ABOUT HIM. THIS EVENT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO REMIND THE WHOLE WORLD OF HIS NAME AND LET HIS GREATNESS SHINE AGAIN. AFTER TAMPERE I’LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND RUN FOR THIS REASON. ACTUALLY, I’M SURE I’LL KEEP RUNNING UNTIL THE SUN DECIDES TO GO OUT.” – Ivan Gonzalo