A local athlete has won eight medals in this year’s senior games, and has hopes of obtaining more at this year’s Huntsman World Senior games, which will take place this month in Brazil.
Marg Radcliffe, 71, is no beginner when it comes to competing in the B.C. Senior Games. Since 1997, Radcliffe has competed in all the games except for 2005 in Duncan, and 2007 in Nanaimo.
“I won silver in the 100 (metres), the hammer, and the weight throws. I won gold in all the rest,” said Radcliffe. “I would say earlier on I had better years because I’ve had a lot of knee problems, so I just go and do what I can now.”
Radcliffe has not been a track athlete her whole life, but has always had an interest in the sport.
“I did some track in high school, but that pretty well ended when I was 16 because there was nobody interested anymore,” said Radcliffe. “I didn’t start again until I was 55.”
After only two years of competing in the provincial games, Radcliffe made the move to the worlds with great success.
“In javelin, I do fairly well. I’ve won some gold medals in javelin. I’ve also won medals in high jump, and some of the relays, but javelin is my best event.”
Radcliffe is not optimistic for this year’s world games, but said there is still a chance of a podium appearance.
“A medal is possible in javelin, it’s also a possibility in the high jump, but that would be as far as I get,” said Radcliffe. “If I throw well it could be gold, but I haven’t been throwing well—so I’m not counting on that.”
There is no end in sight for Radcliffe’s athletic career, but that have been a few setbacks along the way.
“I’ll keep competing as long as health wise I can do it. I already have one knee replaced, and I’m looking at getting the second one done,” said Radcliffe. “I don’t know how that will work with track, after that I might just become a thrower.”
Radcliffe does not just compete for fun or the competition; she hopes that she can inspire those younger than her.
“I hope that I can inspire some younger people to get out there, and do stuff like this because you’re never too old,” said Radcliffe. “It doesn’t matter how good you are, I’m doing it.
