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When I began preparing this last dispatch of 2006 a few days ago, it was shaping into one last look back at the past year, a simple annual summary of the season’s highlights that were reported by The TRACK PROFILE Report. In short, like many year-end wrap-ups, an effort to take stock in the year gone by, and a brief look at what awaits in the one to come.
But that typical ‘taking stock’ took a somber turn two nights ago, when I learned of the sudden passing of a colleague, German journalist Ursula Kaiser. Hers was an extremely familiar and friendly face to those of us who regularly covered major events, both here in Europe, and abroad. We will all long remember --and very much miss-- her ever-present smile, her ready willingness to help, her infectious enthusiasm and upbeat attitude, and her passion for the sport.
Her passing was not only shocking and sad and a terrible loss for this sport, but sobering as well: she was just 44, and conventional wisdom tells us that perfectly healthy people that age aren’t supposed to die suddenly in their sleep.
In certain respects, Ursula and I were much alike, which is perhaps why her passing has so dominated my thoughts for the past two days. Roughly the same age, we both worked as freelancers trying to piece together a living doing what we loved, oftentimes against the advice of those close to us who looked at life from a slightly more practical point of view. She told me several times she never regretted the difficult decisions and personal sacrifices she needed to make to pursue and achieve her goals. Nor do I, but like many others, I don’t often enough make the time to take stock of those whose support, guidance and friendship makes my life as a freelance track and field reporter, humble as it may be, possible.
Thanks first to David Monti in New York City, with whom I’ve worked as assistant editor of Race Results Weekly for more than five years now. Like Mastercard, his insight, knowledge, support and friendship is priceless. If you're a fan of distance running and are not an RRW subscriber, you really should be. Contact David at david@raceresultweekly.com for more.
Heaps of thanks to Chris Turner, Nick Davies, Laura Arcoleo and the entire communications staff at the IAAF, whose close friendship, faith and trust (and steady stream of work!) has become invaluable. And last but certainly not least to Larry Eder and Shooting Star Media, without whose generous support TPR simply would not exist. Special thanks goes to those who subscribed to TPR over the past year, and especially to those who’ve stayed on as subscribers since TPR took on its current form in 2003.
I also want to extend my gratitude to numerous colleagues -- other journalists, statisticians, athletes, event organizers and athlete managers-- who have helped immensely over the past year. Many of you I now consider good friends, and to all of you, I am extremely grateful.
In practical terms, TPR distributed nearly 200 reports to subscribers in 2006, onsite coverage from about 40 major international competitions, exclusive interviews with dozens of athletes, along with regularly dispatched news updates. You can expect much of the same next year along with a few additions, the details of which you’ll be receiving next week.
Personal highlights this past year were the world indoor championships and my first visit to Moscow, the phenomenal European Championships in Gothenburg, return trips to Oslo, Zurich, Berlin and Athens, and a tour of Stuttgart last September with Ursula as my guide. She was very proud of her hometown, and was very eager to share its beauty with others.
Many thanks again, and wishing all of you all the best in 2007 and beyond.
Be well,
Bob Ramsak
Editor – The TRACK PROFILE Report
Ljubljana, Slovenia
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