An initiative of the New South Wales Government, Sydney will host the seventh World Masters Games from 10-18 October 2009. The World Masters Games have been held every four years since they began in Toronto, Canada in 1985. Australians have a strong Masters sport presence and the 2009 event will be the third time that the World Masters Games have been staged in Australia after Brisbane (1994) and Melbourne (2002).

Open to people of all abilities and most ages, the World Masters Games are the world's largest multi-sport event, attracting twice as many competitors than the Olympic Games. A significant, fundamental difference between the World Masters Games and the Olympic Games is that World Masters Games are open to people of all abilities rather than just elite athletes, with the emphasis on participation. To compete at the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games, people only need to satisfy their sport's minimum age, which ranges from 25 to 35, depending on the sport.

Sydney 2009 World Masters Games organisers expect 25,000 people from upwards of 100 countries will compete across 28 sports at more than 70 venues throughout the city. A volunteer workforce of approximately 6,000 people will assist the Organising Committee in delivering of the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games, the next big event on the city's calendar and whose motto is fit, fun and forever young.

(Courtesy of http://www.2009worldmasters.com)