The WMA Council acknowledges, with much appreciation, the receipt of various complaints on the part of Affiliates and individuals, athletes, team managers and members of the LOC – regarding their dissatisfaction with WMA’s handling of recent world championships. Disappointments voiced included technical and general organizational matters. Rather than addressing each message individually we would like to respond summarily by way of this announcement.

The Council would like to assure our athletic family that we take each and every one of those complaints seriously. During its recent meeting, Council addressed these issues in detail and agreed unanimously that it would, at future WMA events, greatly increase its direct participation and presence with the Organizing Committees.

Plans have been made for a greater pro-active role on the part of Council Members and WMA Committee members in the preparation stages of future Championships, obviously within the budgetary constraints available to our organization. During the running of the Championship we will increase our presence and managerial directives and advice, in the hope of improving the conduct of the championships.

WMA assumes full responsibility for the conduct of the championships; that is part of the contractual arrangements. However, we all should also realize that every Local Organizing Committee is very proud and eager to preserve as much of its decision making independence as it considers appropriate. While WMA tries to anticipate and address those situations in advance, this aspect does create and has in the past created conflict situations which are not easily resolvable at short notice despite promises given to us and best efforts by organizers. Our varied locations and numerous languages do not make this process any easier. In this regard patience and indulgence is needed in addressing and resolving problems.

Managing our championships is no small undertaking. It takes dedication and foresight on the part of many who, almost exclusively, are unpaid volunteers and often remain on duty for long periods of time to serve the interests of our sport.

WMA will continue to strive to present the best championships possible, and we hope to continuously deserve everybody’s support in the process.

Monty Hacker
Acting President