To Inspire:

 

Florence Meiler, known as Flo, is a regular at Burlington High School’s athletic fields. The Vermont 90-year-old is in training. Her sport? The decathlon.

She pulls a wagon full of gear, then starts practice, training to compete in 10 events over two days. Decathlon events include the 100 meters, discus, pole vault, javelin throw, 400 meters, hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 1500 meters. Whew.

Of course, Flo’s jumps and throws are of modest height and modest length but considering the physical fitness level of most 90-year-olds, her performance is amazing. Also amazing is the fact that she took up these track and field events just 30 years ago, when a friend asked 60-year-old Flo to join a senior track team. The long jump was her first event, the others soon followed.

Her latest competition, on a hot day in June in Charlottesville, Virginia, was a USA Masters Combined Events Championship, which includes the Women’s Decathlon. It was 90 plus degrees with an actual temperature on the track of 140 degrees. Women competed across age categories; Flo was the only entrant in the 90-94 category.

Decathletes say the competition is tough both physically and mentally. In Flo’s case, the 1500 meters in the thing she worries about the most, especially in the brutal heat. But she does finish the 1500, winning for her age group. Also at this competition, Flo set a record for a 90-year-old female pole vault. This record won’t be ratified because World Masters Athletics does not recognize the women’s decathlon, but it will be ratified as a W90 American Record by USATF.

One thing Flo wants the world to know is the Women’s Decathlon should be an Olympic event. There is no Women’s Decathlon at the international level. The winner of the Men’s Decathlon is widely considered to be the greatest athlete in the world, while women can only compete in the seven-event heptathlon. Flo and other female decathletes say historically it was thought that women could not physically do some of the decathlon events. All of that has been proven wrong in individual event competition. For example, it was believed women did not have the upper body strength to pole vault, but Women’s Pole Vault has been an Olympic event since 2000.

While Flo is happy continuing to compete, and setting records, at the national level, the younger decathletes remain hopeful that one day the sport will be recognized internationally and have a place at the Olympics.

If you’re watching the Olympic track and field events this year, the men’s decathlon is happening today and tomorrow (Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3). The women’s heptathlon competition is Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9.

As for Flo’s motivation, she says, “I just love keeping in shape. It’s a wonderful feeling when people come up to you and tell you what an inspiration I am to them to get off the couch and be active.”

If you feel like you’re too old to start something new, know that Flo starting pole vaulting at age 65 and is now the oldest competitive female pole vaulter in the world. (Almost) anything is possible!

 

 

 

 

Written by Michelle O’Brien, Manager of Marketing & Communications

 

 

Source: Meet 90-year-old track star Florence Meiler. CBS Sunday Morning.