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Take a long, hard look at that picture. Tineke will be 80 years old in June. She’s won so many medals over the years that she’s simply stopped counting them. She’s been running, sprinting and jumping since the Sukarno era and she’s still got gas in the tank. Tineke’s life is action-packed and she shows no signs of slowing down, either on or off the track.

Which athletic events do you usually compete in?

Jumping, sprints and relay. I’m good at the long jump, triple jump, 100- and 200-meter sprint, and relay races; in 1988 I broke the 4 x 100-meter relay world record in Taiwan at the Fifth Asian Association of Veteran Athletes Games.

How many medals have you won over the years?

I’ve lost count. Well over 200 gold, silver and bronze medals from both national and international competitions.

That’s quite an achievement. How often do you win?

I always guarantee to bring back a medal in every competition that I compete in. Sometimes, I can win between three and five medals in one meet.

Which was the most memorable competition?

Hard to say. I have enjoyed every single one of them and they all mean something, but the most memorable one was the 1995 World Athletic Veterans’ Games in Buffalo, New York.

What made it so special?

My family was living there at the time and they got to see me compete. Also, it was a big deal because it was my only tournament in the United States. Even though I only won two bronze medals for the long jump and triple jump, the Indonesian Embassy recognized my achievement and awarded me a free trip around the United States.

Where else have you represented Indonesia?

Everywhere. I’ve been to Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Brunei, Malaysia, South Africa, Japan, England, Finland, the United States and many more. I’ve been around the world for free.

When is your next competition?

The next one will be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 2010.

How long have you been running?

I’ve been running since I was old enough to have a boyfriend [laughs]. I was 17 when I started training.

How old are you now?

This coming June I will be 80 years old.

When was your first big competition?

It was 1951 at the Second National Games in Jakarta. I won a gold medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay race.

What age category are you in today? Do you often compete with the same people?

I compete in the age group for 75–80 year olds and I often see familiar faces, like competitors from Japan and India. When you don’t see them any more, they’re usually dead [laughs].

How do you feel when you represent Indonesia at the international level, win a gold medal and hear “Indonesia Raya” [the national anthem] being played for everyone?

I’m moved, of course. I feel proud to represent my country, but that doesn’t mean that I love the system and the government.

What else do you do besides participate in athletics?

Sports are pretty much my life. But I was also a physical education teacher at the Santa Ursula school. I started that when I was 22.

Do you still teach?

No, I stopped teaching in 2003. Nowadays, I only give private swimming lessons. I don’t receive a pension for being a veteran athlete or a retired teacher.

What other sports do you like?

I enjoy swimming and hiking, but I don’t hike any more; the last time I did that was when I was 70.

What’s your personal message to your students?

Look at me as an example, you can do and try any sport you like, but just focus on one that you are really good at and go from there. Don’t worry about winning, but maximize your training, and it’s important to know your limits. If you don’t win a competition, it’s not the end.

Do you follow a strict diet?

I used to watch what I ate when I was younger, but as I get older, sometimes my mouth and stomach demand good food. Nowadays, I just eat anything I like, but I also take vitamins.

What will you do when you get too old to run?

I’m going to participate in race walking.

Do you race walk around Jakarta for practice?

I enjoy using public transportation. I still get around by motorcycle taxi, bus or public minivan. I only walk when there’s a traffic jam. But nowadays I really have to be careful not to get hit by a car or motorcycle [laughs].

What do you do for fun?

I like to watch movies, go to music concerts and plays and readings at TIM [Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center ]. I’m just enjoying my life.