Life at 60 is golden for JP Mayer

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Greater Sudbury's Jean-Pierre (JP) Mayer's first experience in track and field almost killed him, but gave him a life-long love for the demanding sport.

At 60, Mayer is still going strong and recently proved this at the 2008 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships in France by winning a gold medal in the discus, a silver medal in the pentathlon and a fifth place finish in the open shot put against the best athletes, aged 60 to 64, in the world.

Back in 1962, Mayer found himself wandering onto a field at College Sacre-Coeur during a track and field practice. He liked what he saw even though it came close to taking his life.

Mayer was walking when he heard somebody shout "look out!" He turned just in time to see a discus coming at him full speed. Mayer had enough time to drop to the ground as the discus struck the ground a few inches away from him with a heavy thud.

"The guy thought he had killed me," Mayer said. "I found it all very interesting and the next day, I started throwing the discus myself. I've been throwing the discus ever since."

A few months ago, Mayer made the decision to go to the world championships. He has been competing at the international level for over 25 years and paid the fee to enter the event in France to continue competing on the world stage.

Mayer is thrilled with his accomplishments including the resolve he and other athletes had to show during the pentathlon, which has five gruelling events, and is run over the course of a 10-hour day. (The event includes a 60-m hurdle portion - an event Mayer hadn't competed in for over 25 years and he did well in setting a Canadian record.)

It was the gold medal in discus which brings him the most personal satisfaction since he was ranked first in the world for the 60 to 64 age group.

The day of the discus event, which was held outside, featured terrible weather. There were 100-km winds and snow. Organizers cancelled the event until the following day. It was a bitterly cold and nasty day as it was raining heavily and the temperature had dropped to the freezing point. Judges had to break ice off a marking table before the discus event could start.

Mayer prides himself on the fact he has been training at the discus almost non-stop since he picked up the sport in 1962. Rain, snow, not even lightning storms has stopped Mayer from getting his throws in and getting better.

The fact it was raining in France the day of the discus event put a wide smile on Mayer's face.

"When I got up and saw the rain coming down I knew it was my day," Mayer said. "I train all the time. It doesn't matter if it's raining, snowing...whatever, it's not going to stop me. I loved it because I knew I could throw in the rain. The weather was still brutal but I was confident and ready. I said bring it on...and I was lucky to win."

It's not about the medals for Mayer. It's the time he spends honing his craft and sharing his vast knowledge with others that keeps him going and competing.

"I get a high out of working hard," he said. "Give me two hours on a field with a discus and I'm comfortable...I'm home. It's my meditation. Competing and winning medals just adds to the experience. Being ranked at the world level, doesn't matter what it is, you know you've accomplished something special. I also love meeting all the people from all over the world who do the same thing I have done my whole life. That's what it's all about."

Mayer is retired from Canada Post where he worked for 33 years doing office work and sales among other titles. He spends a lot of his free time at Lo-Ellen Park high school helping coach young track athletes and keeping the strong tradition of excellence alive and well.

Head track-and-field coach Colin Ward, who has worked hand-in-hand with Mayer for numerous years, was blown away at the results.

"I've always known he was good because he's been out throwing with and coaching our kids for years, but wow, I didn't know he was that good," Ward said. "He's an inspiring character and makes a big difference with the athletes. He shows them all when one works hard, great things can be achieved."

Mayer can still long jump to a distance of five-metres, high jump over his own shoulder height and throw a 12-pound shot put 12-metres. He even offers to do it for any non-believers. Mayer has no plans on slowing down or stopping.

"People say I should be doing stuff at the Older Adult Centre," Mayer said while rolling his eyes. "That's way too mild for me. I have no plans to stop. What for? I don't spend a lot of time looking in the mirror at myself. In my head, I'm not old. As soon as I start thinking that, I guess I will stop. It's too much fun."

Mayer holds countless Canadian age division records from 35 to 64, including this years' discus and shot put throws.

"It's genetics and I've been darn lucky," Mayer said. "I stay in shape and it's not a pain to do exercise. I actually look forward to being active...I always have and always will."