WORLD MASTERS GAMES SET FOR PORTLAND IN 1998 August 5, 1996 (D.Shuttlenws) - The Atlanta Olympics are over. The summer games for the world's sporting young are done with for the next 4 years. Next to come are the summer games for the older sportsman and sportswoman - the World Masters Games. The fourth edition of this Olympic-style event for those over the age of 30 is scheduled to be held in Portland, Oregon, the United States of America from August 9 to 22, 1998. Nike has signed on as the title sponsor and the competition is being billed as the Nike World Masters Games. Twenty-five sports will be contested at the Portland Games. Among them are athletics (track and field), BADMINTON, basketball, baseball, bowling, canoeing/kayaking, cycling, diving, fencing, golf, orienteering, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooting, swimming, tennis, and others. Competitors at the World Masters Games participate as individuals or as teams and do not represent their countries. Any health-conscious individual who wants to test his skill in a particular sport may enter the Games, at his own expense. Competition is by age in groups of 5 years. For badminton, the age groups are 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, and 65-over 65. Competition is also by skill level or divisions, allowing all health- conscious individuals over 30 to have an Olympic-style experience and an equitable chance to come home with a medal. Badminton may have 3 divisions - one for national and international-class competitors, a second for state or provincial level athletes and a third for the local, social, and recreational player. The World Masters Games holds the world record for the number of partici- pants in a multi-sport games - 20,000 plus athletes in Brisbane, Australia in 1994. The organizers of the Portland Nike World Masters Games fully expect to set a new world record in 1998 and are projecting 25,000 plus athletes competing in Portland. COPYRIGHT 1996 by d.shuttlenws@genie.com. PERMISSION GIVEN to redistribute.