LBERT Gay has leapt into the Australian record books after making a 3m pole vault attempt at the ripe old age of 73.
The veteran athlete from Raby in southwest Sydney set the record at the Australian Masters Athletics track and field competition games at Easter. The record jump also made him the world number one in the 70-74 years age group.
Gay said he took up athletics and pole vaulting when he retired, at 62. “It tests your bravery,” he said. “You’ve got to be a little bit of an idiot to do it.”
Albert Gay, 73, started pole vaulting at 62 years old.
He also describes the sport as the “most difficult thing’’ he’s ever attempted.
But he says it more importantly gained him entry to “a very elite world club of raving idiots over 70” who have pole vaulted 3m or more.
NO LONGER RELYING ON WING AND A PRAYER
ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR
Incredibly Gay’s records followed a two-year lay-off from the sport due to poor health.
Gay endured injuries to calves, knees and illness as well as the fight of his life when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Gay reaches an incredible height considering his age.
The former engineer knows a thing or two about mathematics and physics but insists pole vaulting is more difficult than both of those academic disciplines.
“If you get one thing wrong your jump will fail,” he said. “If you get two things wrong you’ll end up in a real mess.”
Gay will contest the world Masters Championships in the pole vault and other events in Lyon, France, in August.
AGE NO BARRIER
AGE: 73
FROM: Raby, Collegians Athletics Club
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: Long Jump (1st), Javelin (2nd), High Jump (2nd), Pole Vault (1st), Pentathlon (200m, 1500m, Long Jump, Javelin, and Discus) (1st )
From: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/macarthur/albert-gay-73-sets-australian-record-for-his-age-with-3m-pole-vault-jump/story-fngr8h70-1227311595873
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