Cost decisive factor for many athletes at World Masters Games

Oct 16, 2009, 8:12 GMT

   Sydney - Russian table tennis player Yury Illarionov has medals galore from the World Masters Games in Sydney.

   'Two golds and a bronze - and I've still got the singles to come,' the 46-year-old Moscow estate agent said Friday.

   He's over the moon with glory in the doubles, mixed doubles and team event, convinced that training five times a week for three hours has paid off.

   But Illarionov, who only competes in table tennis, is honest enough to admit that the world's best are not all at the World Masters Games.

   The standard at European championships is higher and he puts this down to the fact many older people are kept away from intercontinental travel by high costs and work commitments.

   It will be different at the next games, in Turin in 2013. Travelling to Italy won't be so costly for Northern Hemisphere competitors and they won't have to worry about jet lag.

   'There is no money for the Russian team - we all have to pay ourselves and it's very expensive,' Illarionov said.

   Even the locals find competing costly. Multiple medallist Margot Bates, 98, admits she could not have come from Adelaide to star in the pool without a generous donation from a fan.

   Sydney is shotputter Tom Houghton's home town. The cost means the 72-year-old won't be going to Turin. 'So that's it for me,' the Canadian-born Australian said. 'I've come last in my event today. I still enjoy it, but it'll be hard to get out of bed for another go tomorrow.'