Discussion: WMOC 2017 - No public races

http://www.orienteering.org.nz/news/world-masters-...

Contrary to earlier indications, happily we hadn't booked our flights yet.

Well that counts Tash out too I guess. I don't understand the comment on their page about having orienteering events over the preceding ten days though. From the program there are six events over seven days, from Good Friday through until the following Thursday.

Accommodation's already almost impossible to find for WMOC/WMG week anyway.

Well I guess that makes it difficult seeing as how I don't know what I'll be doing on the job front in April.

Without having a great deal of confidence of success, I intend to use whatever influence I have here. (As most of you have probably guessed, this was a decision made by the World Masters Games organisation, as I understand it very much against the wishes of the orienteering organisers).

Seems like another point against tying WMOC to the WMG...

What's to stop a nearby club from organizing an open orienteering event in a nearby forest or park?

The argument for tying WMOC to the WMG in the future is as I understand it to be good friends with IOC in order to improve orienteering's chances to become Olympic some time (far) in the future...

(Essentially) what JimBaker said.

Public races are a clear expectation in the IOF guidelines for WMOC and I am sure people have already booked travel and accommodation on the basis that they will be offered. (Not least as a cursory web search reveals a presentation from the organising team where public races are referred to).

Looks pretty unacceptable (whether it is an NZOF or contractor organisation decision) not to offer them at this late stage. I would have thought both IOF and NZOF would see themselves as having a responsibility to resolve - I can't believe anyone thinks it is appropriate for WMG to have any jurisdiction or decision-making role over any other events sanctioned by NZOF, whether those events are at the same time as WMOC or not.

OK well that should drive down participation. Looks like plan B for our club overseas trip in 2017 then.

I doubt NZ has the resources to organise a nearby event for the public in addition to WMOC.

Hi, tRicky and others, this is indeed a disappointing outcome for WMG. The other events mentioned are six days of fully open events. Some on terrain adjacent to WMOC and others elsewhere in Auckland and around Rotorua. Details at www.oceania2017.nz Cheaper entries, all grades, lower overall costs. Come to NZ do six days of great orienteering and then carry on to see the country or more orienteering with the World Masters Games.

This move of trying to please the IOC at every level and turn with the hope that one day that will mean the inclusion of a sport in the Games reminds me very much of what has been happening in DanceSport for the last maybe 15 years or so. The result so far is an in-fighting community with arguably lower quality competitions and absolutely (IMO) no hope of being added to the Games programme regardless of those changes.

Games inclusion is based on many factors, but realistically, decisions such as not having an alternative public race at the same time as WMG will have absolutely no bearing on it whatsoever for many reasons, even if there might be certain officials who insist on such things. Orienteering may have a much better chance at becoming a programme sport than DanceSport, but still so far off the criteria that it will never achieve it. And that is not for the lack of effort/quality, simply it is due to a.) the characteristic of the sport, b.) the amount of sports and events trying to make it and c.) the generic direction the Olympics seems to want to go (shrinking and not growing).

It would be so much better to focus on making Orienteering itself better and not assume that making it more Olympics-aligned is the same thing.

MrPlod (whoever you may be), Tash and I have every intention of coming to NZ regardless of WMOC but at this stage it is entirely dependent on my employment or lack of at that time next year. I would be really disappointed to miss out but having the ability to pay living expenses at the moment is my #1 priority and whether an employer is agreeable to letting me go. Conversely, having no employer might mean I cannot afford it.