James Proudfoot participating in Biathlon. Photo Credit: James Proudfoot

By Shane Clausing

Biathlon

Local biathlete participates in 2020 World Masters Games

Jan 23, 2020 | 3:37 PM

James Proudfoot of Grande Prairie competed at the 2020 Winter World Masters Games in Innsbruck, Austria last week. The games were held from January 10-19.

Proudfoot participated in the Biathlon event where he finished sixth place our of 19 in the 7.5k division. He also finished fifth in a 4.5k sprint and second place in a relay with a fellow from Italy and Australia.

“The experience was better than expected. The Innsbruck area is just an amazing place. Hundreds of people are skiing all the time and it was amazing meeting other athletes,” said Proudfoot.

The games bring together athletes from across the world that are over 30 years old and it’s essentially a mini Olympics. This year there was more than 3000 athletes. Team Canada had between 20 and 23 athletes compete in the games.

Of the members on the Canadian teams were a women’s hockey team and a curling team both from the Peace Region.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

The winter games take place once every five years and started back in 2010. It had previously been held in Quebec and Slovenia and features 12 different sports that include Curling, Hockey, Figure Skating, Speed Skating and more.

This was Proudfoot’s second time attending the games, he attended the last one back in Quebec. At those games he finished with three medals, but there wasn’t the same type of competition as in Europe.

“Biathlon is a huge sport in Europe, and with the fewer numbers of biathletes that came over to Canada, the competition was mostly from North America and the level of competition isn’t as high as Europe,” said Proudfoot.

Proudfoot says he started Biathlon back in 2005, and had been training for these games over the last two years.

One thing that is unique about the games is that nobody has to qualify for the games, the athletes have to pay their way. All people that do go are serious about their sport.

The next winter games will take place in 2025.

The World Masters Games also features a summer version that happens every four years. It has been hosted in Canada twice. Once in Edmonton back in 2005 and Toronto hosted the inaugural games in 1985. It’ll be held in Kansai, Japan, next year.