Flo Meiler: Setting World Records, at 81
Although some women today may take their opportunity to participate in high school, collegiate and professional athletics for granted, Flo Meiler remembers a time when women were excluded from sports. At 81, Meiler grew up long before Title IX. However, the Shelburne resident never let that hold her back and is proving that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
The end of 2015 marks an amazingly successful year for Meiler. Going into the National Senior Games held in Minnesota in July she set her sights on advancing to the World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships in Lyon, France the following month. She qualified easily, picking up eight gold medals along the way. Then, in France, she set two additional world master records (to add to her existing 25); one in heptathlon and another in the 4 x 100-meter relay. In addition, she collected ten medals at the meet, five of which were gold.
Meiler has received recognition for her accomplishments from The New York Times and CNN. She was also named the USA Track and Field Athlete of the Week at Nationals and is currently in the running for the IAAF Best Masters honors.
