Every Masters Games brings them out. Simple cheery characters with a smile, a Games pass, a collection of medals around the neck, and a story to tell every passer-by. One apprehended me today asking "are you here for the Games" and happily told me of his exploits barely waiting to notice whether I had answered him or not. Oh dear.
Yes it's the usual Masters where an average medal is easy to get and an engraver's fee of $6 per medal is unnoticed next to the joy of getting your name on gold. And where a person ranked tenth in their home town can be first in their country.
Now if only the other competitors in my age group can break down before the half marathon...