Dear Council Members of EMA- Mr Symeonidis ???????????????

Dear Council Members of EMA,

Dear Council Members of WMA,

Dear Symeon Symeonidis,

During the Indoor Championship of Ancona we invited Symeon Symeonidis to a hearing concerning the use of two different kind of birth dates.

Jean Thomas and me were representing the part of our Masters Athletics Organisations.

S. Symeonidis was accompanied by G. Constantopoulos and the Secretary of the Greek Athletic Federation Mr. M. Koutsoudakis.

I opened the hearing with a general point of view of “Fair Play” and “The Spirit of Athletics”. I wanted to point out, that we all – athletes and officials - are ambassadors of our sport. We are the models for the younger generation but for the other athletes and officers as well.

We are representing not only our sport, we are representing our club, our federation, and we are representing our country as well.

It is a must – not an agreement – that we have to follow our created rules based on respect and understanding because without these rules we wouldn’t speak the same language.

Mistrust and corruption might demolish our organisations and our spirit of sport - if we do not follow our rules.

Unfortunately our athletic sport suffers these days because of the problems in IAAF and the doping case of ARAF.

Symeon Symeonidis explained the trouble he caused by using two different birth dates. He presented the official valid documents we were asking for.

He personally regretted to cause our organizations a lot of work and trouble.

He stepped down from his presidency in the Greek Masters (OEVA) and in the Balkan Athletics Veterans Association and is hoping that the next generation will work successfully in the development of Masters Athletics in his country and in the Balkan region as well.

After this hearing he wrote the letter that is attached in my e-mail and wanted EMA to send it to the federations and associations that are involved in this case.

The next step will be in responsibility of WMA Law and Legislation Committee. They have to find a final decision that will presented to WMA Council.

EMA will follow the decision of WMA Council.

Symeon Symeonidis agreed to accept the decision of our leading organisations in Masters Athletics.

Kurt Kaschke

EMA President