Rylee Dionigi

I would like to pass on my deepest condolences to Jörn’s family, friends, students and colleagues. I had the pleasure of meeting Jörn for the first time online in late 2022, when we were planning his edited book on Masters Track & Field Athletes, and since then we developed a valued and productive working relationship over email (because I live in Australia). I am very saddened and shocked to hear of Jörn’s passing. Jörn was very open to different perspectives on his research and we had many robust online discussions that helped me advance my thinking. I loved how he challenged me to defend my arguments and explain them more clearly, given the sociological perspective that I was coming from. I will miss those thoughtful, intelligent emails from him, and I am grateful for the opportunities Jörn provided me with and the international connections that I made while undertaking this book project with him. I will carry Jörn’s insights with me as I continue to work in the field of masters athletics and I will always remember his energy, passion and kindness.