PREZELJ ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF IAAF ATHLETES’ COMMISSION

At the IAAF Athletes’ Commission meeting in Monaco on Saturday (27), Rozle Prezelj was elected as the new Chairman.

Prezelj represented Slovenia in the high jump at three Olympics and four IAAF World Championships. A European under-23 champion in 2001, Prezelj set a national record of 2.32m in 2012 before retiring in 2014.

He takes over as Chairman of the commission from Frank Fredericks with immediate effect.

Britain’s marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe was nominated Vice Chairwoman of the commission.

After an opening address from IAAF President Sebastian Coe, and with IAAF General Secretary and CEO Jean Gracia also in attendance, the commission held fruitful and constructive discussions and debates during their meeting.

Sebastian Coe commented: “I was very pleased to meet with our Athletes’ Commission. I offer my deepest thanks and gratitude to Frank Fredericks, the outgoing chairperson, for his unstinting passion and commitment on behalf of athletes everywhere since he was elected in 2011. Many congratulations to his successor Rozle Prezelj and to Paula Radcliffe, the vice chairperson. They lead the commission at a crucial time for athletics’ future. The commission’s continued support and guidance is vital as we implement reforms across the IAAF and the sport to rebuild trust, in particular supporting clean athletes and honest competition.”

PREZELJ ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF IAAF ATHLETES’ COMMISSION © Philippe Fitte

Frank Fredericks commented: “I’m delighted to be succeeded by Rozle Prezelj, who was elected by the Commission members, and wish him the very best as Chairperson. It’s been a pleasure to lead the Commission working with my fellow members to help promote the needs of the world’s clean athletes which must be the IAAF’s primary responsibility. As an IAAF Council member, I’ll of course continue to offer a prominent voice in their support.”

Rozle Prezelj commented: “I’m most gratified by this show of confidence from my fellow commission members for entrusting me with this big responsibility in these challenging times to represent the athlete community. I will do my very best to justify their trust as Chairperson. In taking over from Frank Fredericks, I wish to thank him for his tireless commitment as an ambassador for athletes.”

USAIN BOLT FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH ATHLETICS FOR A BETTER WORLD

Olympic legend Usain Bolt has today announced that his foundation is to become part of ‘Athletics for a Better World’, powered by the IAAF.

The Usain Bolt Foundation will join forces with Athletics for a Better World to inspire positive social change through education, cultural development and sport.

Athletics for a Better World is the IAAF’s social responsibility programme, which provides organisations and people with a platform to use the universality of athletics to make a positive difference around the world.

As part of Athletics for a Better World, the Usain Bolt Foundation will be able to utilise the IAAF’s global reach, marketing channels and sporting credibility to spread their message and reach more young people than ever before. Usain Bolt will also add his name to the 12 athlete patrons currently involved in the campaign who include Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Marie-José Pérec, Paula Radcliffe and Wilson Kipketer.

“I am very proud that the Usain Bolt Foundation is officially partnered with the IAAF’s ‘Athletics for a Better World’,” said Bolt, the world and Olympic 100m, 200m and 4x100m champion. “Since the foundation was formed I, along with all the staff and volunteers, have worked very hard to inspire kids to become anything that their heart desires. So to be given this accolade by the IAAF is a reward for all the hard work we have put in, and a great opportunity for us to develop the foundation further and inspire more young people around the world.”

Sebastian Coe, President of the IAAF, said: “I’m thrilled that the Usain Bolt Foundation is partnering with ‘Athletics for a Better World’. Together, the IAAF and Usain Bolt will not only help reach and change the lives of thousands of children through athletics but also inspire lasting social change. I know the positive impact athletics can have and what a strong role model Usain Bolt is to millions of people around the world. The combination of the two is a very powerful force and we look forward to working together and making a real difference.”

© UBF

Athletics for a Better World provides a platform for organisations and people around the world – Including member federations, athletics associations, partner organisations, sponsors and athletes – that want to use athletics as a tool for social change. The aim is for these organisations to be stronger together and benefit from the IAAF’s global reach, marketing channels and sporting credibility.

The Usain Bolt Foundation aims to create opportunities through education and cultural development. The foundation has invested millions of dollars, particularly in Jamaica, into community development projects that enhance the health and education of the young people involved.

Ali Expects New Meet Record, World Lead At Okpekpe

Nigeria’s long jump record holder, Yusuf Ali is confident a new competition record and a new world lead will be set come Saturday May 16 at the 3rd Okpekpe 10km road race in Okpepke, Auchi, Edo State.

Ali, a two-time IAAF World Championship long jump finalist is also not closing the door of a possible world record at the event going by the quality of the elite cast registered for the IAAF bronze label road race.

The world record for men stands at 26:44 minutes set by Kenya’s Leonard Patrick Komon in 2010 while Britain’s Paula Radcliffe holds the women’s record of 30:21 minutes set way back in 2003.

The competition record of 29:39 minutes for men is held by Ethiopia’s Teshome Asafan while his country woman, Wuday Ayalew holds the women’s record of 32:41 mins.

“I am confident we are going to see a fast race in Okpekpe next weekend, states Ali, (arguably Nigeria’s greatest long jumper of all time) The quality of athletes that will be on parade is what is giving me this confidence.In the men’s race for example we have two of the four fastest men in the world so far this year. The duo of Amos Kiplimo Mitei of Kenya who has ran 27:58 this year and Dawi Fikadu who also holds a personal and season’s best of 28:04 are capable of running faster and that can only mean a new world lead (27:47) currently held by Kenya’s Japhet Kipyegon Korir and certainly a new competition record,” he said.

Ali believes the $25,000 top prize is also a motivating factor for the athletes to go the extra mile.

“This is one of the highest paying 10km road races in the world and the desire to win the top prize will certainly push these athletes to run well and fast,’he further said and assured that whatever record (s) set will be ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

“All times run and records set will be accepted by the IAAF and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and association of long-distance running races because the race will be organised in accordance with IAAF rules.’

‘If you must know, the course has been measured by an accredited AIMS/IAAF course measurer, Solomon Abari. In fact all races which have obtained IAAF Road Race Label Events have been subject to AIMS/IAAF course measurement standards,” adds Ali, a former technical director of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

The Okpekpe 10km course which starts from Apama road and ends in Okpekpe will be closed to vehicular traffic with the exclusion of official vehicles for the duration of the event until the published cut-off time.

“The Start will be traffic free until the last runner has started and the Finish will be traffic free until the last runner finishes or the cut-off time is reached,” he concluded.

IAAF and Great North Run to display dramatic opening ceremony to recognise millionth finish milestone

– Protocol ceremony hosted by IAAF President Lamine Diack, Brendan Foster, Paula Radcliffe, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Haile Gebrselassie and Mike McLeod

– Finish achievement officially recognised by IAAF’s Athletics for a Better World programme

To mark the Bupa Great North Run becoming the first ever running event to reach a historic millionth finish, a spectacular opening ceremony will be hosted on the banks of the Tyne on Thursday 4 September.

The evening will also see the millionth finish achievement officially recognised by the IAAF’s Athletics for a Better World global social responsibility programme.

Ahead of the annual run on Sunday 7 September, the evening will commence with a protocol ceremony hosted by the President of the IAAF, Lamine Diack, and feature some of the most legendary names in the sport.

Brendan Foster, founder of the Great North Run, plus athletics royalty including Haile Gebrselassie, Paula Radcliffe, Tanni Grey-Thompson and Mike McLeod will all be part of the milestone occasion and the unveiling of the First Millionth Finish flag.

Ahead of the ceremony, Foster said: “We are delighted to announce that the President of the IAAF, Lamine Diack, will be overseeing the official protocol for the Great North Run Million Opening Ceremony, celebrating Tyneside as the first ever host of the millionth finish.”

“Such is the stature of the accomplishment that the millionth finish event is being included in the IAAF’s Athletics for a Better World initiative, which we are enormously proud of.”

Athletics for a Better World (ABW) was launched by the IAAF earlier this year and uses the universality of athletics to make a positive difference by helping to support and promote projects around the world in the fields of peace, social inclusion, environment and health.

The Bupa Great North Run has, for many decades, given ordinary citizens from all over the world the chance to be inspired and motivated to use athletics as a way to become fit and healthy and, through charity support, to also generously give to others.

These achievements were the driving factors in the IAAF welcoming the event to the Athletics for a Better World programme.

IAAF President Lamine Diack said: “Athletics for a Better World is a crucial initiative made up of a number of inspirational projects throughout the world aiming to encourage and promote athletics to millions as a way to create fit and healthy lifestyles.

“The millionth finish of the Bupa Great North Run is an extraordinary achievement which we welcome into Athletics for a Better World and I would like to thank Brendan Foster and his team for the phenomenal work they have done since 1981 to make this IAAF Gold Label Road Race not just an important fixture in world athletics but also a part of the rich athletics culture in Great Britain.”

IAAF Launches ‘Athletics for a Better World’

IAAF Launches ‘Athletics for a Better World’

-Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Paula Radcliffe, Marie-José Pérec and Wilson Kipketer among 12 athlete ambassadors-

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Lamine Diack today announced plans for ‘Athletics for a Better World’ (ABW) a new social responsibility programme that will use the universality of athletics to make a positive difference in the world. The IAAF will cooperate closely with organisations including Peace & Sport, The United Nations and The IOC in the development of the programme, alongside 12 ‘Athlete Patrons’ – including Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Marie-José Pérec and Paula Radcliffe – with many more organisations and athletes expected to follow.

The announcement was made at an IAAF panel, entitled ‘The Power of Sport’ at the SportAccord Convention in Antalya, Turkey, which was chaired by five-time Olympian Charmaine Crooks and attended by IAAF President Diack, heptathlon legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Italy’s world junior high jump champion Alessia Trost.

ABW will provide a platform for organisations and people around the world – including Member Federations, athletics associations, partner organisations, sponsors and athletes – that want to use athletics as a tool for social change. The aim is for these organisations to be stronger together and benefit from the IAAF’s global reach, marketing channels and sporting credibility.

A short-film, ‘Stronger Together’, produced by ‘Buddy Films’ and directed by Paul Gowers, was shown to the global sports family at SportAccord to outline the IAAF’s vision for ABW and to encourage them to become part of the programme. The film can be viewed at http://www.iaaf.org/athletics-better-world.

ABW will support athletics-based initiatives across four pillars: health, the environment, social inclusion and peace. From peace races to athletics sessions for the local community, anyone using athletics to make a difference will be welcomed into the ABW community.

IAAF President Diack said: “Athletics is the most universal of all sports. And our position as the No.1 Olympic sport gives us a global responsibility: to use the power and reach of athletics to make a difference in the world. We know that by empowering the athletics community worldwide to work with key development organisations, we can be stronger together and use the power of sport to inspire lasting change.

“We are thrilled that the United Nations, The IOC and Peace & Sport will be working closely with us on this and we look forward to welcoming more organisations and athletes in the coming months as we build the foundations for a programme that can change the lives of millions of people.”

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Athletics for a Better World Ambassador, added: “Sport has had a huge impact on my life – it’s given me focus and goals to strive for. As an athlete, I know I have the opportunity to inspire other people. So I am honoured that The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation will be working alongside some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced social development programmes through ABW. I know that many other athletes are planning to get involved with ABW and I am excited about the difference we can make together.”

Fellow ABW Ambassador Alessia Trost also commented: “I am glad to have the opportunity to be part of this great event celebrating sports. I sometimes ask myself why do I practice, why do I train and the answer is that I do it because I strongly believe that sport means culture. Track and field gives people the awareness of being able to find out their best, anywhere and anytime.”

The 12 athlete patrons are from every part of the world and include: Jackie Joyner-Kersee (USA), three-time Olympic champion; Alessia Trost (ITA), world youth and world junior champion; Kajsa Bergqvist (SWE), world champion and Olympic medallist; Paula Radcliffe (GBR) world champion and marathon world record-holder; Wilson Kipketer (DEN), three-time world champion; Koji Murofushi (JPN), Olympic and world champion; Joanna Hayes (USA), Olympic champion; Valerie Adams (NZL), double Olympic champion and four-time world champion; Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM), double Olympic champion and five-time world gold medallist; Fabiana Murer (BRA), world champion; Marie José Pérec (FRA), triple Olympic and double world champion; and Tegla Loroupe (KEN) triple world half marathon champion.

The IAAF welcomes interest from organisations and individuals who are already using sport to have a positive impact on communities. All partners will have access to IAAF athletes, supporting content and donations. ABW will be promoted through the IAAF’s marketing platforms, social media channels and at events, reaching millions of people worldwide.

You can find out more about how ABW aims to improve the world through athletics here http://www.iaaf.org/athletics-better-world.

PEACE AND SPORT JOINS FORCES WITH THE IAAF TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

Longstanding partners in the field of sport and peace, ‘Peace and Sport, L’Organisation pour la Paix par le Sport’ and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) have once again pooled their knowledge and shared values to organise a peace relay at the Stade Louis II in Monaco on Friday 4th April 2014.

To celebrate the first ever International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, created by the UN, 121 pupils from various primary schools in Monaco will join 29 first-year students from the Lycée Albert 1er to take part in:

– 400m/800m races, long jump and pole vault events
– an introduction to the Kids’ Athletics Programme

Providing encouragement will be Lamine Diack, IAAF President, who will start the first race. Paula Radcliffe, world-record marathon runner and a Peace and Sport Champion for Peace, will also be in attendance to support the children in their efforts.

The young runners will also contribute to the ‘White Card – Sporting Gesture for Peace’ movement, performing a simple and highly symbolic action that highlights the efforts of those involved in encouraging development and peace through sport. It has already proved extremely successful, having gone viral on Facebook, with hundreds of people around the world getting involved.

By channelling their energies into using sport to bring about peace, the children will be part of an international event that extends across sports and brings together a wide range of communities.

To take part in the Carton Blanc campaign:

– Take a photo of you (or your group) holding a white card like an umpire or a referee on a playing field. Be creative!

– Post the photo on the April6 Facebook page (tagging yourself if you want it to appear on your profile) with the comment: ‘Play your Peace on @April6!’

– Spread the word among all your friends so that they can get involved in the campaign too!

‘It is a special honour for us to work with the IAAF, one of the world’s biggest sports federations, to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
I would like to encourage everyone involved in the sports movement to take part in this international initiative to make 6 April a clear symbol of the movement for peace and development through sport!’

Joël Bouzou, President and Founder, Peace and Sport

‘As the managing body of international athletics, the IAAF is also responsible for harnessing the potential and widespread appeal of athletics to send a different message around the world.
It has been my heartfelt desire that a sports event could be held at our home in Monaco to symbolically mark the birth of the first International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. I am delighted that athletics will enable pupils from local schools to enjoy themselves and hope that they will take in the message being communicated. Our great champion Paula Radcliffe, official representatives of the government of Monaco, our friends from the Monaco Athletics Federation and, of course, Peace and Sport, will all be in attendance to support this initiative. I sincerely hope that all our federations, as well as all the members of the wider athletics community, will be inspired by our actions and that 6th April will be celebrated around the world with the respect it deserves.’

Lamine Diack, IAAF President

The first ever ‘International Day of Sport for Development and Peace’, created by the United Nations at the instigation of the International Olympic Committee, will take place on 6 April. Peace and Sport would like to encourage everyone involved in using sport to bring about peace to take part in the initiative and has launched the http://www.april6.org platform in order to do so – the site lists and promotes all of the events and initiatives taking place around the world as part of the day.