Your for Life

Newsletter of European Athletics 2 | 14 December INSIDE TRACK

A golden year in Europe Your Sport for Life WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

Titel Hansjörg Wirz | President of European Athletics Building momentum IMPRESSUM Lead European Athletics Association Européenne d’Athlétisme following a fantastic President: Text Hansjörg Wirz Vice Presidents: Jose Luis de Carlos Karel Pilny year for athletics Jean Gracia Director General: Christian Milz

Office: Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 18 The focus this year was more on the Area Association was expected but an average attendance for the CH-1003 Lausanne level than world level of high performance for our evening sessions of 80.7 percent over the six days Switzerland sport. We enjoyed the European Athletics Team clearly contradicts opinion that the event failed to Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 50 Fax +41 (0)21 313 43 51 Championships, European Athletics Championships attract high attendances. That is plainly false when [email protected] and IAAF Continental Cup. on certain evenings attendance was at 95 percent www.european-athletics.org – and an estimated 100,000 people attended the In many aspects, Zurich 2014 was an excellent championships races. “Inside Track” is published by European Athletics championships. With the many fantastic performances we witnessed at the Letzigrund still fresh in our The make-up of the crowd was different at Zurich 2014 Co-ordination: memories, we are now gathering important post- than at Weltklasse: more athletics specialists at our James Mulligan event data that underlines the importance of our main championships and more business type people at the François Schrurs European Athletics event. meeting. This undoutably had a big positive effect on Communication Department the atmosphere during the European championships. Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 57 A total television audience of 358 million watched the It would have been great for the fans to stay to enjoy [email protected] championships. Figures published by Switzerland’s the entertainment at the end of each evening session Federal Statistical Office showed that with 316,881 but this idea was not so effective, with the Text, Photos: James Mulligan, François overnight stays in Zurich in August, the 300,000 emptying out by the time the performers took the Schrurs, Bill Glad, Matthew barrier was broken for the very first time (There stage. This is something we must consider for the Brown, Richard Lewis, were more than 18,000 room nights booked in future. Hansjörg Wirz, Christian Milz, official VIP, team and media hotels in Zurich during Andy Heading, Getty Images the event). There were 148,432 spectators in the It is also obvious that we don’t have a clear Design, Production: stadium, 100,000 attending the road races in the city qualification system to promote the Championships AMK Atelier für Marketing centre and 250,000 visiting the City Festival during compared to a sport such as football, which promotes und Kommunikation the championships, making the event very popular the main championships through the qualifiers. Amstutzstrasse 14 among residents and tourists alike. It’s hard to compete with such a set-up and to CH-6010 Kriens, Switzerland Phone +41 (0)41 320 00 72 create awareness. Thus, we must better establish Fax +41 (0)41 320 00 79 This all adds up to a big overall economic impact: the European Athletics Championships brand, [email protected] Zurich 2014 triggered a total revenue of 95 million integrating and linking much closer together three Swiss francs for the canton of Zurich alone, and 146 different elements – the one-day meeting structure, Print: Multicolor Print AG million Swiss francs for the whole of Switzerland. the European Athletics Championships format and CH-6340 Baar, Switzerland the championship qualification system – into one Taking into account our experiences in Zurich, a lot attractive product that continues to appeal to the Follow us: can be learned for our events in the future. On the public. facebook.com/EuropeanAthletics question of filling seats in the stadium, support from institutions is decreasing therefore the income from High performance remained our focus at the end tickets is very important. It is clear we must retain of this season when we celebrated our best larger stadium capacities so that prices for spectators with the newly branded Golden Tracks ceremony in are more attractive while still securing an important Baku. It was a fantastic occasion with all the athletes revenue on ticket sales. And finding the correct present. Indeed, I was very pleased with the overall @euroathletics pricing level from country to country is a detail to outcome of the Convention in Azerbaijan. work on. Outside our comprehensive Programme, For our European Athletics Championships, the goal we also need our sport to be involved with developing first and foremost is to have the highest possible and serving society through our outstanding values YouTube /EuropeanAthletics attendance for the evening sessions, when there are and not only through high performance. the finals and not solely qualification rounds, and activities are growing at a rapid rate and when television is broadcasting live the majority of as the of activities increase, so too do the the action. It is clear that ticket sales were not what demands of the runners. Every runner has a reason

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Hansjörg Wirz | President of European Athletics Titel Strong TV figures for Zurich; SPAR extends Text live streaming partnership

for participating and holds certain expectations on the level of quality and safety wherever and whenever they intend to take part in a public race.

Every race organiser has the intention to organise their race in the most secure way possible for the runners and the spectators whilst maintaining the quality in order to A total television audience of , Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, attract a large number of participants. 358 million watched the Zurich , , Romania, Russia, Serbia, 2014 European Athletics , Spain, , Switzerland, Until now there are only a limited number of regulations .) that exist in some European countries. Where examples of Championships this , best practice exist, the experience cannot be considered underlining the continued Zurich 2014 had an average audience of Europe wide and is not understood by all. popularity of European 11.6 million which is an increase of 3.2 Athletics’ flagship event. percent in the average audience between For that reason, European Athletics has developed Göteborg 2006 and Zurich (11,260,727 Safety and Quality Standards for public road races via to 11,621,183) and is almost on par with consultation and integration of different experts within The cumulative figure (excluding news 2010 (11,877,496). the running movement. audiences), collated from EBU and Repucom reports received by European Average audiences continued to increase There is a need to recognise the races with a good- Athletics, was higher than the 340 million in key markets France and Germany, with quality level. It will be the role of European Athletics reported for the Göteborg 2006 European audiences above 2.5 million. Average and its Member Federations to support this movement by Athletics Championships and on an audiences remained stable in the United setting and implementing these standards, ensuring the almost equal level to Barcelona 2010’s Kingdom, hovering just below the 2 necessary legitimacy and credibility. 368 million. million mark.

The Safety and Quality Standards will serve as an Göteborg 2006 was held over seven days Other countries that saw increases orientation, common view and understanding of the while Barcelona 2010 like Zurich 2014 included and Netherlands, expected requirements. Additionally it will encourage was held over six days. both of which have major upcoming positive partnerships between runners, race organisers, European Athletics events. will European Athletics and the athletics Federations as well In the Olympic year of 2012, with a host the 2015 European Athletics Indoor as with all the other stakeholders. shortened programme that didn’t include Championships and the 2016 road races, the European Athletics European Athletics Championships. The Safety and Quality standards are divided into three Championships in had a total levels – 1-star, 3-star and 5-star - to encompass all race cumulative audience of 156 million. In addition, European Athletics is pleased types and sizes. to announce that it will continue to The European Broadcasting Union provide a full live streaming platform European Athletics will launch an online platform and also delivered a report on the average during major events in 2015 including promotional tools that will enable Member Federations audience per minute during transmission Video on Demand, in partnership with to manage the spread of the standards in their territory of the championships – a more qualitative principal sponsor SPAR. and facilitate race organisers applying for certification. measurement that European Athletics plans to use in the future. The report on This means that the european-athletics. The ultimate goal is to have as many races in Europe average audiences, which are based on org website will continue to be the main certified, bringing race organisers and Member live, delayed and highlights transmissions source of athletics on the continent. It Federations closer together and to have the runners during the daytime, included only the brought together for the first time live themselves recognising and trusting the system. same 25 countries that broadcast the streaming, live results, live blogging, championships in 2006, 2010 and 2014. news, video interviews and photos on the (Countries: Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, homepage during the European Athletics Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Team Championships in Braunschweig Finland, France, Germany, Greece, last June.

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 3 Your Sport for Life Golden Tracks Titel

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The European Athletics Golden Tracks award winners, Maria Kuchina, , Dafne Schippers and , with their Golden Tracks trophies. Athletes of the Year

4 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|14 INSIDE TRACK Golden Tracks e e Lif Lif or or f f t t Spor Spor our our Y Y TitelSpotlight on the Lead «best of the best»

Text France’s Renaud Lavillenie and Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands were named European Athletes of the Year at the Golden Tracks awards ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan. Great Britain’s Adam Gemili and Russia’s Mariya Kuchina claimed the European Athletics Rising Star awards.

With the Golden Tracks being shown live “This was crazy for me and after in Götzis and it was nice to win both on television and streamed live across that, my main motivation was to stay at the the 100m and 200m at the European the world, all four athletes were present top and Zurich was very important. It was Championships.” to collect their trophies in a glittering one of the best years I have ever known. ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel in the When she was asked by the master of iconic Flame Towers. “In Zurich, the conditions were not easy. ceremony, Andy Kay, what her plans There was a lot of pressure on me, the were for 2015, and whether it will be the Pole vaulter Renault Lavillenie, 28, was can be random but I was happy sprints or the , Schippers said: voted the men’s winner after a season to take the win.” “Now I say both. I hope to be in Götzis where he was crowned for the third next year and then after that I will have to consecutive time at the 2014 European The 22-year-old Dafne Schippers choose like this year.” Athletics Championships and also broke surprised most specialists when she elected ’s which now to compete in the 100m and 200m instead IAAF vice presidents Bubka and Sebastian stands at an impressive 6.16m. of the heptathlon in Zurich. But her decision Coe presented the Rising Star awards. paid off beautifully as the Dutch star won Speaking as he received the trophy from both events and left Switzerland with two Adam Gemili, who just turned 21, sped European Athletics President Hansjörg brilliant gold medals in 11.12 and 22.03 to a very impressive European 200m Wirz, and with Bubka as a guest in the over the longer distance, a national record. title in 19.98 on a cool night and into a audience, Lavillenie, 28, said: “This year headwind. He also anchored the British is something I cannot forget. It was like a Receiving the trophy from President Wirz, 4x100m relay team to victory which dream for many years (to break the world Schippers said: “It was a special feeling meant he too left Zurich with two golds record) and nobody was expected to do it. (to win). I started with the heptathlon around his neck. Rising Stars

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 5 Your Sport for Life GOLDEN TRACKS

On Saturday, he said of the 200m glory: “It was a great result for myself and my team. It was alwaysTitel going to be tough but to walk away with the gold Innovation prize goes to medal is such a great feeling.

“People now see me more as a 200m runner but I am trying to do the 100m and 200m.” Lead youth coaching programme He received his trophy from Lord Coe who said: “There is a real renaissance in British, European and global athletics and tonight is a really good example of that. We have a veryText strong future to look forward to.” Athletics 365, a teaching and coaching programme for young athletes created by The 21-year-old Mariya Kuchina, took silver at the European Athletics, has been awarded the Athletics Championships, won at the European Team Championships, shared gold at the IAAF World Indoor Championships and also won the top prize in the 2014 European Athletics Diamond Race. Innovation Awards.

"I am so thankful to have been considered for this award. I was very close to winning my first big title in Zurich and I will continue to try to go higher Announcing the award, Dr Sylvia Barlag, next year," Kuchina said. European Athletics Council member and the chair of the awards jury, said: “I Bubka, who handed the award to Kuchina, said: “We have a lot of great congratulate England Athletics for this young talent and athletics is a popular sport and youngsters enjoy it. We exciting programme, which is already have a fantastic and bright future with our young generation.” having a significant impact on the grassroots of the sport in Britain and could It was a wonderful evening for European Athletics, with special mention of well be a model for other countries.” winning the IAAF Continental Cup in Marrakech in September, and President Wirz said: “We have the great winners of today. But let us not “The jury was impressed, first of all with forget these winners help us bring our sport to the youngsters.” how Athletics 365 creatively addresses the development of young athletes and Azerbaijan Athletics Federation President Chingiz Husseinzade hailed the how to retain them in the sport and evening and said: “We welcome the best athletes to Baku and we look then with how its implementation adds forward to seeing you again and again.” a new dimension to the operations and sustainability of athletics clubs.” The winning athletes were decided by counting votes from fans, media, European Athletics Member Federations as well as an expert European The award and a cash prize of CHF 10,000 Athletics panel, with the results from each group of voters counting for one were presented to the project leader Scott quarter of the ’s final . Grace.

More than 9,000 fans voted on the Golden Tracks Awards at This year’s Innovation Awards, the ninth www.facebook.com/EuropeanAthletics. edition of the biennial competition, attracted 41 entry files from 17 countries. Both totals were the second highest in the history of the competition.

Judging in five categories was conducted by an international panel of experts. The Top 3 evaluation criteria were “quality” and “relevance to athletics”.

Men’s 2014 European In addition to Athletics 365, which was 1. Renaud Lavillenie FRA the winner in the Promotion category, the 2. Bogdan Bondarenko UKR previously announced category winners 3. GBR for 2014 are: • Coaching – “Monitoring Training Women’s 2014 European Athlete of the Year Load in Interval Exercises” by Ari 1. Dafne Schippers NED Nummela (FIN) 2. Anita Wlodarczyk POL • Technology – “Motion Estimation 3. ESP Using Inertial Sensor Technology with Applications to Sporting Exercises” by Men’s 2014 European Athletics Rising Star Michael Gasser (SUI) 1. Adam Gemili GBR • Open – “α-actinin-3 deficiency is 2. Konrad Bukowiecki POL detrimental to 100 and 200m Olympic 3. FRA sprinting performance in six European and one American cohort of elite Women’s 2014 Rising Star sprinters” by Ioannis Papadimitriou 1. Mariya Kuchina RUS (GRE) 2. SUI 3. Anezka Drahotova CZE

6 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|14 INSIDE TRACK INTERNATIONAL PARTNER e e Lif Lif or or f f t t Spor Spor our our Y Y Innovation prize goesTitel to youth coaching programmeLead

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OMEGA & ATHLETICS

There is no question that timekeeping between them and it is this photograph is among the key components that the judges will use to determine the contributing to the excitement of champion of each race. athletics . Be it , , javelin or the fan-favourite Scoreboards 100m sprint, results are separated by The three- and two-sided scoreboards increments of measurement units and situated along the race course and at the OMEGA is proud to use its specially finish line respectively are operated by developed technology and dedicated innovative software that enables them team of data-handlers to measure the to display not only text, pictures and live results of each athlete in order to help information, but also animations and determine the champions. videos. With their high resolution and 16 million colour options, the scoreboards Great Britain’s Scott Grace with the European Athletics Innovation Since 1932, OMEGA has served as benefit spectators in the stadium as well Award beside Adam Gemili holding his 2014 Rising Star trophy. Official Timekeeper at 26 editions of the as those watching from home. and it is this unparalleled experience that the brand draws upon False Start Detection System In addition to the four winners, the jury when its serves in the same role at other At the start of each race, the sensors recognised 14 projects with certificates of major international events like Diamond built into the starting blocks measure Honourable Mention. League meetings and the European each runner’s reaction time - defined as Athletics Championships. the interval between the sound of the The jury decided not to name a winner starter’s pistol and the athlete’s response. or give an honourable mention in the In addition to its role as Official Each runner’s response to the sound Sustainability category. Timekeeper, OMEGA has also been of the start gun (pressure exerted by behind the development of some of the the athlete’s foot against the blocks) is “On behalf of European Athletics, I want most advanced pieces of timekeeping detected by the sensors and measured to thank all those who invested their time technology and equipment. Earlier this by the OMEGA timing device. If the time and effort to make athletics better by year at the Zurich 2014 European Athletics measured is less than the time in which a entering projects,” said Dr Barlag, “we Championships, the brand introduced person can possibly react to the sound of are proud that the awards competition several upgraded and enhanced versions the starter’s gun as defined by the IAAF, has continued to grow and attract their of existing timekeeping technology. the runner has “jumped the gun” and interest and commitment.” the timekeeper signals a false start. The OMEGA Scan’O’Vision MYRIA The European Athletics Innovation The Scan’O’Vision MYRIA is a Sensors in the starting blocks measure the Awards were created in 1998 to combination of a time detector and a athletes’ force against the footrest 4,000 encourage research and the sharing of chronograph. Photo-finish images are times per second. In the event of a false new ideas leading to the promotion and produced using a high-tech image- start, the detection system will instantly development of the . capture device that records up to 10,000 send the force measurements to an on- digital images per second. Each runner’s site computer The competition is open to any European image is captured by this device as he and create a working in or otherwise associated with or she crosses the finish line, and each “force curve” so athletics, including sport scientists, appears in the final “photograph”. On the starter can academics, coaches and students. The this photo-finish image, the time that visually analyse tenth edition of the awards will be in separates the runners as they cross the the reaction. 2016. finish line is represented by the space

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics 7 Your Sport for Life ZURICH 2014

This was the first time one nation had won both 10,000m finals at the same championships and, in retaining his 5000m crown on the last day, Zurich memories Farah became not only one of 13 successful defending champions, but one of just five to win a third consecutive gold – joining discus supremos When Kariem Hussein settled into his blocks for the final of the men’s Robert Harting and Sandra Perkovic, pole 400m hurdles on a cold, wet Friday evening at the European Athletics vault king Renaud Lavillenie, and Ukrainian Championships in Zurich this August, few imagined the largely unknown triple jumper Olha Saladukha. 25-year-old from Munsterlingen was about to provide one of the The other double winner – of course – was brightest highlights of a hugely memorable week of athletics. Dafne Schippers, the Netherlands’ newest flying Dutchwoman who blew away the opposition over 100m and 200m, matching the exploits of her He was, after all, only the seventh fastest of thousands more lined the lakeside city’s old and legendary compatriot Fanny Blankers-Koen some the eight finalists, a man who’d never before beautiful streets for the road events. 64 years earlier. been beyond the semi-final stage at any major championships. And it was raining. Hard. Indeed, the stadium’s famously knowledgable No-one who saw her second sensational sprint crowd – egged on by their ever-entertaining victory on the Friday evening could doubt her But Hussein had the crowd on his side, and in mascot, Cooly the cow – rose to appreciate every decision to skip the heptathon and concentrate the packed bowl of the Letzigrund Stadium that’s startling performance across all 12 sessions of on speed. And what speed. Schippers hurtled quite a boost. Swiss flags flapped frantically from the tightly scheduled programme – from the very off the 200m bend and strode across the line in the wind-swept stands and when the gun went first night when Britain’s 40-year-old mother of 22.03, the fastest by a European woman since off the noise was deafening. The decibels rose two, , finally claimed a championship 1995 and a Dutch record. and rose until, 10 slick barriers and just under title after two decades striving for success, to the 49 seconds later, Hussein was carried across the last afternoon when Germany’s Antje Moldner- Talking of records, who can forget Yohann line on a wave of emotion, an instant hero in the Schmidt grabbed gold in the steeplechase just Diniz’s 50km walk, the Frenchman winning his swirling . four years after winning her battle with cancer. third European title in a world record of 3:32:33. After destroying his rivals with his relentless “It is incredible, I still am searching for the right Pavey’s heart-warming 10,000m victory kicked off pace, up and down the picturesque loop beside words, I am speechless,” was all the tearful a British gold rush that launched the GBR team to downtown Zurich’s River Limmat, Diniz stopped Hussein could utter afterwards. “You cannot plan the top of the medal table with no fewer than 12 to grab two flags before completing an emotional such a thing in advance, you cannot think it in golds, three more than France and nine ahead of victory. advance. Europe’s perennial powerhouse, Russia. “I want to dedicate this to my grandmother “At the moment, all this feels really strange to The base for Britain’s success lay on the track who died this year,” he explained. “She was me. I am tremendously happy, but all my emotions where they dominated the men’s sprints and Portuguese and that is why I was holding both went into the race. I wanted it so much.” relays, took both women’s hurdles golds and French and Portuguese flags while coming to the provided the championships with one of its two finish.” Hussein may have been the sole Swiss to strike double winners in Mo Farah, who repeated his gold in Zurich – only the fifth Swiss athlete ever to 5000m and 10,000m victories from Barcelona Diniz smashed the world record by almost two win a European title, in fact – but he was far from four years ago to become the only man ever to minutes, and the championships record by four. the only star of these enjoyable and unpredictable amass five individual European titles. But his wasn’t the only CR performance by a championships, which brought nearly 150,000 French athlete on the Zurich streets as Christelle fans to the home of the Weltklasse, while Daunay won the gruellingly hilly women’s

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in 2:25:14 after an epic struggle against And the week’s biggest talking point? What else? Italy’s world silver medallist . Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad’s bare-chested Yet for four agonising rounds the double Olympic home-straight antics at the finale of the men’s In the stadium, only Anita Wlodarczyk champion threw like a novice – “I feel ashamed,” steeplechase, a feat which earned him a yellow produced a championships record – the Pole’s said the Czech star afterwards – before clinching card, then disqualification, but finally a chance to winning of 78.76m not only a gold in the fifth by 20cm, so outdoing her famous make good as he cantered to gold at the end of a national record but the third longest of all time. coach and mentor Jan Zelezny who never won crazy 1500m final on the last afternoon. As it turned out, that was merely a prelude to her the European crown. world record of 79.58m in just a fortnight “Winning today was the best thing I could later. Like Pavey two days earlier, Spotokova celebrated do after the steeplechase,” said the relieved victory with her young son in her arms – the Frenchman. “I had a lot of motivation; I ran with Throwers were never far from the attention in week’s second proud mum. rage. I am very proud.” Zurich, not least Perkovic whose fifth round heave of 71.08m certainly caught the eye. It not As for the championship’s forgotten hero, that Rage, joy, relief, pride … emotions were never only secured the Croatian’s third European discus was Christian Lemaître, the French sprinter who far from the surface at Zurich 2014; never more gold by a massive 5.75 metres, but was her third lost his 100m title to James Dasaolu and 200m evident, nor more widely shared, perhaps, than national record of the season and the longest in crown to Adam Gemili’s chill-defying 19.98, when the crying hurdler Kariem Hussein brought the world since 1992. but still left Zurich with a record eight European heat and light to a drenched and ecstatic home outdoor medals to his name. crowd. “I wasn’t surprised because I came here prepared,” said the nonchalant Perkovic later. The duel of the championships? That has to be “Kariem, Kariem, Kariem,” they cried as he stood the thrilling head-to-head between Ethiopian- on the podium wiping his eyes, a moment he will Barbora Spotokova came prepared too. The born friends and 1500m rivals of never forget. javelin world record holder was in her comeback the Netherlands, and Sweden’s , season after giving birth last year, but already won at the death by the emphatic Dutch runner – Indeed, it was one of many memorable moments sitting top of the world list and ready to win her a woman set to rival Schippers as a poster-girl for at the 2014 European Athletics Championships, first European title. Amsterdam 2016. an event that, as Sergey Bubka put it, “has written a new and fabulous chapter in the history of the city, its stadium and athletics”.

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 9 Your Sport for Life CONTINENTAL CUP Team Europe triumphs

The strength of European athletics came to the forefront in remarkable fashion in Marrakech as the team won the IAAF Continental Cup on 14 September.

After six individual triumphs on the first Great Britain team for the European took his personal best to 17.48m in the day of competition, Europe won 10 Athletics Championships in Zurich when second round. events on the second day to take the title he was hit by injury. with 447.5 points from the Americas with This summer Compaore has proved he is 390, Africa with 339 and Asia-Pacific with Not only did he book his place, he then a man for the big occasions and after an 257.50. went on to win the , and opening effort of 17.26m, he found more now on Saturday evening he banked the speed on the runway to secure victory Wherever you looked at the Le Grande maximum eight points for Europe with from South African Godfrey Khotso Stade, it seemed like a European athlete a narrow victory in 10.03 from Mike Mokoena, who jumped a national record was winning a race or going clear in the Rodgers, of the USA, in 10.04, and Qatar’s of 17.35m, and American Will Claye, the field as the team made their bid to win in third, also in 10.04. Olympic silver medallist, who was third the trophy. with 17.21m. was a late replacement in Europe’s field eventers led the way on the team for Britain's - France’s third gold came in the long jump opening night and it can never be easy stepping into the as Eloyse Lesueur followed up her glory in spikes of the Olympic, Commonwealth Zurich with an extraordinary win. Ukraine’s Bondarenko dominated the high and European champion. jump as 2.37m was enough for success The eight points were heading Europe’s ahead of Russian and Qatar’s But the Dutch athlete has had a fine way as world bronze medallist Ivana . season and after finishing second in the Spanovic, of Serbia, led with 6.56m after Diamond Race, he is the Continental Cup Bondarenko had lost to Barshim at the champion with a winning effort of 8.11m final meeting in Brussels, in the second round, the only man to pass and with it the Diamond Race, but the eight metres on the night. European champion took this win after clearing his first effort at 2.37m. With 222.5 points, Europe led from the Americas with 191, Africa with 164 and Spotakova’s summer has been full of Asia-Pacific with 137.5. glory in what has been an outstanding comeback year since she became a Team Europe takes the trophy home mother. It was some Sunday, too, for France as Fresh from winning the European title their athletes won three individual titles - and Diamond Race, the Czech Republic all from gold medallists from the European javelin thrower was trailing in Morocco Athletics Championships in Zurich. to after two rounds, but eventually took control in the next round Men’s team captain Renaud Lavillenie as she achieved the winning throw of did not enter the pole vault until 5.65m, 65.52m. which he cleared at the first attempt, before going over at 5.80m at the third Dasaolu does it again time to triumph.

It was another memorable night for James Benjamin Compaoré had won the triple Dasaolu, who at one time this summer jump in Zurich with a European lead of looked like he may not even make the 17.46m and he improved on that as he

10 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|14 INSIDE TRACK CONTINENTAL CUP e Lif or f t Spor our Y Team Europe triumphs

Team Europe take back the IAAF Continental Cup as team captains Renaud Lavillenie and Jo Pavey lifted the trophy in Marrakech on Sunday night.

Lesueur had fouled the first three of her Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk, the double and European double in the four attempts. European hammer champion took the title as she won with 20.02m, a distance with 75.21m from her third round throw, achieved in the second round as she beat But then with her last go she reached with her teammate Martina Hrasnova in American Michelle Carter with 19.84m, 6.66m to take the title from Spanovic with third with 70.47m as American Amanda and Lijiao Gong, of China, with 19.23m. American , the Diamond Bingson finished second with 72.38m. Race winner, third with 6.45m. Europe celebrated a first and third in the And in the men’s discus, Estonian Gerd women’s high jump as Mariya Kuchina, Schippers back in first place Kanter made it another eight points in the the 2014 European Athletics Rising Star, bank for Europe as, like Wlodarczyk, he won again with a best of 1.99m, just one Having finished third in the 100m on led all the way before his final throw of centimetre adrift of the furthest she has Saturday, Dafne Schippers came storming 64.46m was his best. cleared this year. back in style to win the 200m and end the summer season as the most-talked about followed up his Zurich Porter runs a British best woman sprinter in the world. success by making his mark again in the 110m hurdles as he won in 13.23. Britain’s Tiffany Porter was second in the She triumphed in 22.28 from American 100m hurdles - and not only did it bring and European teammate, The double European champion was seven points to the team but her run of France’s Myriam Soumaré, who was third slick enough to hold off the challenge of 12.51 was a national record. in 22.58. American , who was a close second in 13.25, the same time as Great The European champion was flying in Britain’s Will Sharman, the Zurich silver a race won by American Dawn Harper medallist, who was given third for six Nelson in 12.47 with Germany’s Cindy more European points. Roleder third in 13.02.

The next race also brought maximum Europe took second in both the 4x400m points for Europe and once more relays. enhanced the reputation of Sifan Hassan. In the women’s, Spain’s , The European 1500m champion from the Malgorzata Holub of Poland, Ukraine’s Netherlands had so much speed in the and , of Italy, final stages as she won in 4:05.99. combined for 3:24.12 as the Americas won in a world-leading time of 3:20.93. After such an exciting year for Hassan, now she will head into the winter months with Then, in the men’s, Britain’s Conrad the prospect of building on the success of Williams, , of Poland, 2014 at the SPAR European Cross Country Israel’s Donald Sanford and Martyn Championships in Samokov and European Rooney, also of Britain, ran 3:00.10 in Athletics Indoor in Prague in March. a race won by Africa in 3:00.02 with a dramatic finish. Schwanitz follows Storl to the top of the podium But by then Europe were way ahead on a glorious weekend. After ’s victory on Saturday, made it a German

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 11 Your Sport for Life SAMOKOV 2014

The noise…for Mitko Tsenov. Not until the SPAR European Cross Country 1Championships in Budapest in 2012 had Bulgaria ever won a medal at this event. But Tsenov, now 21, changed all that when he was second in the junior race in 18:47 and then 12 months later in , he repeated that silver success in the under-23 race in 24:07. With local support, it could be a glorious story for the host nation if he makes it to the podium again.

Ten things to look forward to in Samokov

The chase for elusive gold. With a lunging, final surge, 6 Great Britain’s won bronze in the men’s 10km as his nation topped the table with nine medals in Belgrade last year. But it was just the start of a superb spell for the distance runner who then won silver in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5000m at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich in August. Could it be gold this time?

12 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|14 INSIDE TRACK SAMOKOV 2014 e Lif or f t Spor our Y

The setting. The races will The future. Amela Terzic, one of the Balkan region's finest young athletes, be staged on a picturesque will be looking to further enhance her reputation. The Serbian is still only course in the Rila Mountain 21 and has won medals in each of the last four years at the SPAR European 2 in Borovets, just 10km south 4 Cross Country Championships, with junior silver in 2010, bronze in 2011 of Samokov city. It is the highest mountain and gold in 2012 before she was second in the under-23 race in Belgrade last December. range in the Balkans - at 2925m - and the sixth highest in Europe. skiing races have been held there before. The history. It will be the first time that The rivalry. Not only could the women’s senior race see a re-run of last Bulgaria has hosted the year’s finish, when France’s had just too much in the end for 5 SPAR European Cross Great Britain’s , winning by five seconds in 26:34, it is set to Country Championships, an event 3 include other former winners in Portugal’s Jessica Augusto and Fionnuala which is celebrating its 21st edition. Britton, of Ireland. Steel, though, has been in fine form so far this winter, leading the The first competition was held in European Athletics rankings for both the 10km and half-marathon. 1994 in the north-east English town of Alnwick.

The heroine. In Belgrade last year, Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan The favourite. Behind Vernon in that 10,000m produced a superb performance to win the under-23 race, and then race was Turkey’s bronze medallist , 20, she had an amazing summer with gold in the 1500m and silver in the who won gold in the junior race in Belgrade. He 8 5000m at the European Athletics Championships. But as she said in 7 will be among the favourites for the under-23 race July: “I actually think I like cross country slightly more than the track, I feel free when in Samokov, unless he is selected for the senior event where he is I am running.” Samokov could be treated to another special moment from her. likely to make a big impression too.

The LOC. President of the Samokov The legend. While nothing has been confirmed, 2014 local organising committee, Ukraine’s , a winner of nine gold Dobromir Karamarinov, former medals at the SPAR European Cross Country 9 national and Balkan 400m hurdles 10 Championships, the first dating back to 1998 in champion is also President of the Bulgarian Ferrara, Italy, could make a bid for the team at the age of 39. In Athletic Federation since 2004. the summer he ran in the 10,000m at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich.

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 13 Your Sport for Life COUNCIL European Athletics allocates events at its 140th Council meeting

The European Athletics Council agreed on a number of important resolutions, including the awarding of the 2016 Convention and SPAR European Cross Country Championships at its 140th meeting at the Château de Montvillargenne in Chantilly, France.

It was decided that the 2016 European The 2016 SPAR Athletics Convention would be held in European Cross Country Championships were Funchal, the largest city of the Madeira allocated to Chia, Italy. region in Portugal. Before that, the 2015 Convention takes place at the home of European Athletics in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The 2016 SPAR European Cross Country Championships were allocated to Chia, Italy, subject to European Athletics receiving a guarantee for television production of the event by the end of January 2015.

Chia, a coastal area in Southern Sardinia, made an impressive presentation. The Italian athletics federation would use Champion Clubs Cup Senior Group A for these championships to further develop the next three years, as long as the quality their new training facilities based in Chia. standards for this event are upheld. The 2015 Education Junior Group A event will also be held in Following a proposal by the French Turkey in 2015 as will stage the Programme Athletics Federation, the 2015 SPAR competition. European Cross Country Championships will be relocated to Toulon-Hyères Czech Athletics Federation President The Council has approved the following subject to all conditions of the organisation Libor Varhanik gave a well-received report education measures for delivery in 2015. being met. on the Prague 2015 European Athletics Indoor Championships, which will take Conferences The Council also approved the proposal place from 6-8 March. • Clubs Conference for Mersin, Turkey, to host the European • Youth Conference

Seminars • Technical Officials Management System Seminar • Doping Control Officer Refresher Seminar • Communications Managers Seminar • Women in (WIWA) • Coaches Management System Seminar

Courses • Technology (VDM/EDM) Course

The dates, venues and other details are currently being finalised and information will be posted on the European Athletics website as it becomes available. Invitations to participate in the measures will be sent to the Member Federations.

Members of the European Athletics Council.

14 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|14 INSIDE TRACK DIRECTOR GENERAL'S STATE OF THE SPORT e Lif or f t Spor our Y

Azerbaijan not only once but twice in 2014, firstly for a sporting event (the European Youth Olympic Trials) and A year of “firsts” for then for our main corporate event (the European Athletics Convention) – with both proving very successful. European Athletics There were four “firsts” at the Baku 2014 Convention as well. It was the first time we were able to host a paperless Calendar We are able to look back on a very special year for European Convention with each organiser able to Athletics that saw a number of milestones for the organisation. enter their data directly into the system. This proved efficient and a great success. We also hosted for the first time the By Christian Milz, million; Barcelona 2010: 0.48 million), Golden Tracks – a new name, a new brand, Director 27.4 million page views (Helsinki 2012: a new trophy to celebrate the European General of 0.76 million; Barcelona 2010: 1.05 athletes of the year and rising stars. It was European Athletics million). a fantastic evening with all four winners present and the gala once again shown The website was viewed 57% of times on national television, streamed live from computers and 43% from mobile across the continent and distributed to devices (26% smartphone, 17% tablets), Eurosport, France Televisions and NOS via confirming the trend of a shift of Eurovision. website user browsing from computers to smartphones and tablet devices. This A pilot Coach Management System We are proudly able to look back on a shift was also facilitated by the mobile Seminar was staged in early November very special year for European Athletics experience being optimised as the to find ways to better support our that saw a number of milestones for the new European Athletics website is fully coaches who play a fundamental role in organisation. responsive. The official European Athletics the development of our sport. We will Facebook page had a weekly total reach monitor the changes implemented by the As usual, each year has two big "peaks" during the championships of 3.6 million participating Member Federations over the for our athletes, and this year it was the – the number of people who saw any coming year to assess the impact of the four leagues of the European Athletics content associated with the page. (As an seminar. European Athletics also took an Team Championships in June and the aside, our Facebook page has seen huge important step this year in its strategy to European Athletics Championships in growth in the number of permanent fans ensure that athletics is at the forefront of August. The European championships in 2014 with more than 130,000 now promoting healthy lifestyles to Europeans were held for only the second time in the liking our page.) through sport by staging the inaugural “home” country of European Athletics, European Athletics Health and Well-Being with Zurich playing host to our Conference in Marseille, France. flagship event. Another milestone for 2014 has There were a huge amount of positives been the purchase of a piece of to take from Zurich: the excellent land in the centre of Lausanne conditions for all stakeholders, the – the first step in building a brilliant performances of the athletes, permanent “home” for European the atmosphere at the City Festival Athletics. If all goes to plan, we and the overwhelmingly positive hope to be able to move into our feedback from the International new headquarters in 2016. Broadcasters on the back of cumulative television audience of A milestone for next year will be 358 million. the introduction of our Safety and Quality Standards for Road Our new website was the focal point Races in Europe. The criteria for for all communications surrounding the standards have now been Zurich 2014 – bringing together agreed and we are in the process for the first time live streaming, of developing an online platform live results, live blogging, news, video Our new event management system and promotional tools that will enable interviews and photos on the homepage. ARENA came to reality in Zurich, and Member Federations to manage the Indeed, the website saw a huge, record- we received positive feedback on its spread of the standards in their country. breaking increase in global during capabilities from important stakeholders. The standards are divided into three levels Zurich 2014 compared to the previous two It is proving to be a very solid system that – 1-star, 3-star and 5-star – to encompass editions of the event. The website through acts as the unique source of information all types and sizes of races. The online the week of August 10-17 generated the for anything related to our events and platform will facilitate race organisers following traffic metrics: 1.07 million activities. applying for certification that will then be unique users (Helsinki 2012: 0.16 million; monitored by European Athletics and the Barcelona 2010: 0.23 million), 2.7 million For the first time ever, as part of a strategic relevant Member Federation. sessions - unique users may account for long-term plan with the National Azeri multiple sessions - (Helsinki 2012: 0.33 Federation, European Athletics visited

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 15 Your Sport for Life WOMEN IN ATHLETICS FORUM

Women's forum highlights progress and challenges It is now a custom for the European Athletics Convention to feature half-day forums where leaders from the Member Federations and others from the Athletics Family can come together to consider issues impacting them and the future of the sport.

At this year’s edition in Baku, Azerbaijan, The aim of the forum was to discuss issues athletics”, was given by Rahda Balani, the the tradition continued as 62 participants related to how federations can benefit Head of Insight and Innovation at Britain’s from 34 federations gathered for the from the abilities and ideas of women in Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation. first-ever European Athletics Women in athletics to increase participation and the Athletics Forum at Baku’s Marriott Hotel popularity of the sport. After congratulating European Athletics Rahda Balani on Friday 10 October. for its long-term efforts to promote gave the The forum’s keynote presentation, women leaders in the sport, Ms Balani forum's keynote entitled “It’s not about women, it’s about shared evidence from the business world presentation.

16 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|14 INSIDE TRACK COACHING AWARDS e Lif or f t Spor our Y

showing that organisations with women directors tend to be more successful than those with male-only leadership.

She said, “at the WSFF we encourage sport organisations to aim for a target of 30% women on their executive boards, committees and other bodies, but how they reach that figure is a matter for them to decide.”

“The 30% figure has been shown in research to be the point where the women are no longer seen as simply representatives of their gender but instead begin to contribute to the decision making on all aspects of the organisation.”

Council member Sylvia Barlag followed with a presentation that outlined the various efforts European Athletics has made since 2007 to help federations understand the case for bringing more women into leadership positions, including the creation of the biennial European Athletics Women’s Leadership Awards.

She explained that 40 Member Federations had recognised a total 80 women in the Azerbaijan's Maharram Sultanzade and Zeynep Batar of Turkey receive their coaching three editions of the awards and called awards from Council member Frank Hensel. on the leaders present to make sure their federations used the tool in 2015.

A booklet containing short profiles of 31 of the winners was distributed to all the 51 receive forum participants.

At the end of the day, Ms Balani and Dr Barlag took part in a panel discussion Coaching Award chaired by well-known presenter Andy Kay from Great Britain that also included European Athletics President Hansjörg Zeynep Batar of Turkey and Azerbaijan’s Maharram Wirz and Konul Nurullayeva, who is one Sultanzade were presented the first of 2014’s European of the leading sport administrators in Athletics Coaching Awards by President Hansjörg Wirz and Azerbaijan. Council member Frank Hensel at the Golden Tracks night in Baku on 11 October.

The two were representing 49 other year for the award based on the criteria coaches who will be given their awards “excellence in coaching”. in national ceremonies organised by their federations in the coming weeks. Twenty-two federations nominated coaches this year, the second highest “Congratulations to Zeynep and figure in the history of the awards, Maharram and to all of this year’s which began in 2010. winners,” said President Wirz. “They are examples of how coaches make a In addition to the nominations, coaches difference and it is important that we whose athletics win a gold medal in a recognise them.” senior European Athletics championship automatically receive the award. The awards consist of a certificate and a European Athletics silver pin. To date a total of 259 coaches have received the award. Each Member Federation can nominate one male and one female coach per

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 17 Your Sport for Life YOUNG LEADERS FORUM

Young Leaders enjoy a unique Zurich experience

The city of Zurich and the 22nd European Athletics Championships provided a spectacular backdrop for the 4th European Athletics-UNESCO Young Leaders Forum, which attracted 65 participants representing 44 countries from the 10th to 14th of August.

One of the main activities of the European Spain who ran workshops explaining the Athletics Young Leaders Community, the successful projects they have delivered in biennial Forum was staged in cooperation the last two years. with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization Sara Massini of ENGSO Youth (the with support from the Zurich 2014 youth section of the European Non- local organising committee and Erdgas, Governmental Sport Organisation) gave the LOC’s partner for volunteering and a presentation and workshop on project sustainability. funding through the European Union.

The Forum programme focused on Presentations were also given by Steve practical aspects of the design and Tharakan of UNESCO, Penny van der delivery of youth-led voluntary projects Kaars of European Atheltics’ partner SPAR Lord Coe addresses the Young Leaders in Zurich. in athletics. Much of the content and Stephen Reynard of the international was delivered by members of the non-government organisation Sport and Community, including teams from Bosnia Development.org. Young Leaders involved in a group discussion. & Herzegovina, Norway, Slovenia and After checking in at the youth hostel hosting the Forum, the participants set up displays of their own work, which they had prepared in the weeks prior to the event. Their vote on the best display was won by Stine Haugum and Helge Rosfjord of Norway, with Damiao Freitas of Portugal winning the “most interesting project” category. The winners each received an iPad mini in recognition of their efforts.

“Seeing the mix of young people of so many nationalities who share a passion for athletics and a commitment to making a contribution to the sport in their communities has been inspiring,” said Miikka Neuvonen, also of ENGSO Youth, who was one of the Forum facilitators. “You could tell they were ready to work hard, and I really enjoyed the discussions we had in the different sessions.”

At the end of each day’s programme, the young leaders were able to enjoy being in the host city of the championships, attending the Opening Ceremony and the first three evening sessions of the

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Young leaders say competition in the Letzigrund Stadium. Speaking for many of the participants, The next European Athletics-UNESCO goodbye to Zurich. They were also invited to a reception with Marilyn Grech, who volunteers as a youth Young Leaders Forum will be held on the European Athletics Council Members, coach in Malta, said “this Forum was a occasion of the 2016 European Athletics which took place at the House of really great experience. It has motivated Championships in Amsterdam. Switzerland in the Market Square at the me to be more involved in athletics. I Sechseläutenplatz in the centre of Zurich. suggest anyone who takes athletics The European Athletics Young Leaders seriously to be a part of the Young Leaders Community was established in 2011 For many of the participants, the highlight Community and perhaps join the Forum to promote volunteering and youth- of the Forum was the final day appearance next time around.” led projects in athletics. Since then, its by guest speaker Lord , more than 1900 members have shared which included an autograph and Germany’s Katrin Heyers, who leads an information about 250 local projects and “selfies” session. anti-doping education project, added, have registered close to 60,000 hours of “we’ve made new friends and got volunteer work. Lord Coe, the IAAF vice president and connections all over Europe but the most 2012 Olympic Games organising important lesson we learned is that WE For a video of the 2014 Young Leaders committee chairman, thanked the CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!” Forum visit www.athleticscommunity. participants for their commitment to org. For more information on the Young athletics and their voluntary work in Leaders Community and its activities see the sport, saying that “athletics must www.facebook.com/AthleticsCommunity. constantly find how young people want to be engaged in sport and then innovate to meet the challenges.”

“I can think of no better group for this work than young leaders like yourselves who have already demonstrated your passion for athletics by the work you do.” After describing how he got his start as an athlete (“from a young age I really liked the physical sensation of running and I still run several days a week”) and the importance of volunteers at various points in his career, including the success of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Lord Coe encouraged the participants along their own paths.

“It is important that you are creative with your projects, that you help move the sport in the ways that young people want it to go, and then use the various media options available to you to communicate your ideas and successes,” he said.

INSIDE TRACK 2|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 19 Your Sport for Life COACH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SEMINAR Exploring how federations can best support coaches

Recognising that coaches play a key role at all levels of athletics and that support provided to coaches is important for the sport and its development, European Athletics staged its first-ever coach management system seminar in Reykjavik, Iceland, from 4-6 November.

Thirteen participants from fivecoach management systems and shared Member Federations, among them findings from research projects in this general secretaries, administrators and area that have been conducted in Britain, leading coaches, examined the coach Ireland and South Africa. management and support systems in their countries and developed plans for Also presenting was Malek El-Hebil, the addressing identified weaknesses and Director of the IAAF Development and improving effectiveness. Member Relations Department, who spoke about development strategy in Among the system elements studied athletics before focusing on the IAAF over the intense three days of lectures, Coach Education and Certification System workshops and group presentations were (CECS). the recruitment of new coaches, coach education and continuing development, On their return home, the participants are communication, quality control, recognition expected to continue detailed planning of and rewards for good work. change projects for their systems working together with the leadership in their On the first day of the seminar, the federations. participants were welcomed by Einar Vilhjálmsson, the President of Iceland’s For its part, European Athletics will follow European Athletics will also review athletic federation, which co-hosted the up by monitoring changes implemented the seminar contents and participants’ event together with Reykjavik University. in the participating federations’ systems feedback to see how the concept can Mr Vilhjálmsson also attended parts of the over the coming year in order to assess the be developed and rolled out to other second and third days of the seminar. impact of the seminar and by providing federations starting in 2015. The seminar lectures included two advice and other assistance where presentations by Julian North, PhD, of appropriate. Leeds Beckett University in Great Britain, who introduced a framework for analysing

European Athletics met with five Member Federations in Reykjavik from 4-6 November Participants presenting their findings to the rest of the group.

20 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|14 INSIDE TRACK