SOULEIMAN BREAKS WORLD INDOOR 1000M RECORD IN STOCKHOLM

In the first of three world indoor record attempts at the Globen Galan, Djibouti’s Ayanleh Souleiman set a world indoor record* for 1000m, clocking 2:14.20 at the IAAF World Indoor Tour meeting in Stockholm on Wednesday (17).

Paced by Bram Som through the first few laps, the field went through 400m in 52.08 and 600m in 1:19.44. Souleiman then took up the running and passed 800m in 1:46.97.

The world indoor 1500m champion then dug deep and covered the last lap in 27.23, crossing the finish line in 2:14.20.

His winning mark bettered the previous record of 2:14.96 set by Denmark’s Wilson Kipketer in 2000.

Ayanleh Souleiman
photo credit: Doha Stadium Plus Qatar
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

Later tonight Souleiman’s training partner Genzebe Dibaba will attempt to break the world indoor mile record, while Abdalelah Haroun will target the world indoor best in the 500m.

*Subject to the usual ratification procedures

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.

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.