The 18th European Veterans Athletics Championships (EVACS 2012) were inaugurated on August 15th in Zittau (Germany). Held for the first time in three countries (Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic), competitions will take place over a course of 10 days, until August 25.

During these championships, a total of 3,836 athletes (2,694 males and 1,142 females) from 38 countries between 35 and 97 years old will compete in countless individual and relay disciplines in the venue cities of Zittau (Germany), Bogatynia/Zgorzelec (Poland) and Hradek (Czech Republic).

Germany, with its 903 male and 506 female athletes, has the highest number of participants at the starting blocks. Latvia is the only country to send more female than male athletes. Israel, Iceland, Luxembourg, Belarus and Bosnia-Herzegovina registered only male participants for the competitions.

After Germany, the Czech Republic and Great Britain registered the most athletes - 241 and 226 respectively. The top ten also includes Italy, Poland, Russia, France, Spain, Finland and the Netherlands.

The oldest female athlete, Gabre Gabric, is 97 and comes from Italy. She will be participating in four disciplines. Croatia is the “youngest” nation with an average age of 48 years, while the Icelanders are taking the record for the oldest nation at these European championships.

“The most important objective of the EVACS is to keep people physically active or to reawaken their interest in sports”, said Dieter Massin, President of the European Veterans Athletic Association (EVAA), during the presentation of the event.

More information at evacs2012.com

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