Monday 24 October
By Olivia Edwards and Jasmine Rolfe
Reaching the sporting pinnacle and competing at an Olympic Games is the ultimate prize for many athletes. The euphoria of an opening ceremony, the highs and lows of participating at the highest level and the camaraderie enjoyed in the Games Village among a congregation of the world’s best are feelings that stay with an Olympian for life.
Upon retirement, many Olympians enjoy remaining active in their sport and often seek to replicate those Olympic sensations by taking part in other mass-participation sporting events, unconcerned that the standard of play is not on the same rung.
The Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games (JPPMG) is one such event which appeals to those no longer at the peak of their powers as it comprises 13,000 participants playing sport in good spirit among old and new friends. Rather than ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’, JPPMG participants are encouraged to ‘Play it, Live it, Love it!’
Staged over 10 days at numerous venues on the Gold Coast, the JPPMG hosts 43 sports which require no qualification times or standards. Meeting the minimum age is the only criterion for being involved, a perfect option for those looking to relive their glory days via fun competition organised by world-renowned event managers and played at high-standard venues, including two of the upcoming Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) locations.
Australian basketball legend Ray Borner in action against Shaquille O’Neal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Photo: Craig Borrow/Newspix
Four-time Olympian Ray Borner will be taking to the basketball court at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, a GC2018 venue, during this year’s Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games. Ray graced the world stage at Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1998, Barcelona 1992 and farewelled Olympic competition at Atlanta 1996. Instead of wearing the green and gold uniform of the Australian Boomers, this time around the 6ft 10in centre will be donning the red and black of the ‘Grumpy Old Bears’.
“This will be my third Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games and every year we have a great time on and off the court. I think that it’s great to have a social hub where you’re able to interact with like-minded people,” Ray said.
“We play team sports to be involved with other people so when you are able to achieve a common goal, you all taste success together.”
Annie La Fleur in action against the USA at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Also slipping-on the basketball singlet at Coomera will be another Olympian, Annie La Fleur, a point-guard with the silver medal-winning Australian Opals in Sydney 2000.
Like Ray Borner, Annie has been involved in basketball from a very young age and never entertained the idea of hanging up the high-tops when she retired as a professional in 2004.
“This will be my first Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games. I’ve heard a lot of my friends raving about how good it is and how much fun they have so I’m looking forward to it!” Annie said.
While not expecting to replicate the elation of silver in Sydney, Annie is gunning for endorphin-gold on the Gold Coast, inspired to continue in her sport by some wonderful memories.
“We were on the dais receiving our medals and just as I had mine put around my neck, I looked across into the crowd towards my family. My mum was crying and my son, who was four at the time, was jumping up and down yelling out at me! It truly was a priceless moment and one I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
Benita Willis competing in athletics at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Sydney 2000 was the first of four Olympic Games for Australian female marathon record holder Benita Willis, who competed in the 5,000m. She doubled her efforts for the 10,000m in Athens 2004, before striding out to the marathon in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Benita, a JPPMG ambassador, will be taking on the distance running events next month and encourages not only Olympians but anyone thinking about entering the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games to have a go as there is a sport for everyone, regardless of fitness level.
“People should participate in a sport they may have done a while ago to reignite that passion or do a sport you currently do in a different type of competition,” Benita said.
“If you often go in parkrun, why don’t you enter the beach mile, cross country or trail race? There are so many options to participate, have fun and meet like-minded great people!
“I love the social aspect of the whole event so will be enjoying some time at the opening and closing ceremonies – fun nights out with everyone!”
Clinton Hill in action at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Athens 2004 Olympics 4x400m Relay silver medallist, Clinton Hill, will be exhibiting at the JPPMG Sport and Leisure Expo and has some advice for those who are.
“In regards to training, sometimes more is less and less is more. Learn to listen to your body and know when to stop. Train hard, but train smart,” he said.
“I think the rugby rule ‘use it or lose it’ fits perfectly to an event like this.
“As we get older our bodies don’t necessarily perform as they used to. However, if we are able to keep fit and active then we can definitely slow down the aging process and live a more fulfilling lifestyle as we mature.”
Clinton won’t be competing at JPPMG, but you may find him cheering on athletes from the sidelines and reminsicing about his own sporting triumphs.
“My most memorable sporting achievement would have to be, without question, winning my 4x400m Relay silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games,” Clinton said.
“The gold medal I won at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games would sit second, particularly as it was in front of a deafening home crowd of over 100,000 screaming fans.”
The 10th biennial Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games will be held 5 – 13 November 2016 on the beautiful Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
The world’s biggest and best biennial masters games will showcase competition in 43 sports and attract 13,000 participants from Queensland, interstate and overseas.
