Your Sport for Life

Newsletter of European Athletics 2 | 08 December INSIDE TRACK

European Athletes of the Year 2008 awarded in

2 WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT 10 Focus on athletes 16 The Inside track Clear strategic direction for European Holm hangs up his spikes Competition programme 2009 Athletics Brand 12 Education 18 Thought Leadership 4 The Champions Council approves 2009 Facing the future with Facebook! Waterford Crystal European Athletics of Education Programme the Year 2008 Keeping the skills up-to-date 19 Events preview European Athletics Rising Stars 2008 Benvenuti a Torino! 14 State of Sport Great duel beckons in 9 CONVENTION European Athletics – Innovation Award Speaking with one voice European Athletics Convention

Your Sport for Life Word from the President

IMPRESSUM Clear strategic direction for European Athletics Brand European Athletics Association Européenne d’Athlétisme

President: Hansjörg Wirz SUI Vice Presidents: Hansjörg Wirz | President, European Athletics Jose Luis de Carlos ESP, Svein Arne Hansen NOR Treasurer: Karel Pilny CZE Director General: Christian Milz SUI Another year has passed and December address before “European Athletics provides thought leadership is always a good time to sit back and the 2012 Office: and development of new initiatives aimed at Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 18 reflect on 2008, the year that was. Games. CH-1003 Lausanne helping society form a loyal relationship with Switzerland We live in ever changing and challenging The media will athletics for life.“ Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 50 times on a number of fronts but our always focus Fax +41 (0)21 313 43 51 [email protected] biggest and most important long term on the medal www.european-athletics.org partner, the European Broadcasting table but with Germany ( 09), And we have a head start as European Union (EBU) showed both confidence ( 10) and Great Britain Athletics already provides leadership in “Inside Track” is published by and consistency by signing with us for (London 12) along with (Torino 09) two key ways: European Athletics another four year period until 2011. and (Paris 11) all hosting major Co-ordination: events in the next four year period, I am • Firstly, we run international events that Pierce O’Callaghan IRL This partnership, which has been in sure these countries medal collection will provide best practice for others to follow. Kirsty Anderson GBR place since 1981, is of paramount grow during this time. And like all leaders, we are prepared to European Athletics Communication Department importance in supporting European innovate and stop at nothing to make Phone +41 (0)21 313 4360 Athletics with our plans for the future. Off the track 2008 was also a very busy our sport more appealing. [email protected] year. The were • And secondly European Athletics Text, Photos: always going to be challenging Games Last year we set out to create a clear provides thought leadership and Kirsty Anderson GBR, Gi Fernando (GBR), DPA, for Europeans and so it turned out. new strategic direction for the European development of new initiatives aimed at Bill Glad GBR, Andy Heading Athletics brand. We felt this was necessary helping society form a loyal relationship GBR, Heiner Henze (GER), Although we are still dominant in the as we reviewed the many challenges with athletics for life. We want athletics Carl Olaf Homen (FIN), Erik field events, our loss of strength in the faced by athletics in twenty first century to be the sport of choice for all ages. The van Leeuwen (NED), Christiane track events, particularly on the men’s Europe. associated health benefits will be felt Maillard SUI, Celia Mendes socially and economically throughout POR, Christian Milz SUI, side is worrying and is something that Phil Minshull GBR, Pierce all member federations will have to Europe. O’Callaghan IRL, Marco Sicari ITA, Ken Van Deyck BEL, Hansjörg Wirz SUI.

Design, Production: AMK Atelier für Marketing und Kommunikation Amstutzstrasse 14 CH-6010 Kriens, Switzerland Phone +41 (0)41 320 00 72 Fax +41 (0)41 320 00 79 [email protected]

Print: Multicolor Print AG CH-6340 Baar, Switzerland

Cover page, from left: Christian Milz, Director General of European Athletics, Raphael Holzdeppe (GER), European Athletics male Rising Star 2008, Andreas Thorskildsen (NOR), European male Athlete of the Year 2008, (RUS) European female Athlete of the Year 2008, Hansjörg Wirz, President of European Athletics and Steph Twell (GBR) European female Rising Star Award winner 2008.

2 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK Word from the President e Lif r fo t Spor our Y

Clear strategic direction for European Athletics Brand

Now, to bring all this to life we have “To Inspire European society, we are restructuring our events developed a clear leadership strategy for 2009 and beyond. schedule to make the sport more visible and attractive. The European Athletics Championship will take place every two There are four drivers that will keep this European Athletics virtuous circle years from 2012 onwards, as opposed to every four years as at constantly turning: present. “

Inspiration: where we run events that inspire people to go out and discover their exciting: one false start in a sprint race... the whole European calendar into an full potential; and you’re out. Final throws and jumps integrated and more coherent format. will enjoy undivided attention of the whole Motivation: where we help educate people stadium. The last few runners in distance We are also launching a series of and provide the motives that trigger them races will be withdrawn at a key stage of leadership coaching summits throughout to do something specific; the race. Europe. This will help national coaches ensure an aspiring potential European Participation: where we help provide the These changes will add excitement and champion or elite performer will not slip mechanics for people to access athletics more drama without affecting the purity of through the net. in an active or passive way; our great sport. We shall carefully monitor the success of these changes; the ones Finally, we are passionate about cleaning and Aspiration where, with the help of that work, we will keep and encourage up our sport by creating a “Doping-free our Member Federations, we create the Member Federations to adopt. zone”. European Athletics wants to lead competition and coaching structures to by example with a zero tolerance approach allow athletes and administrators reach To motivate Europeans, we are to doping. their highest possible level. undertaking some major initiatives with organisations such as UNESCO. We So in summary, European Athletics is Our aim is to provide leadership services have already organised a successful taking a leadership role in order to achieve in each of these areas. Specifically for youth seminar in Oslo in December plans a clear vision. 2009, here are just a few of the initiatives are far advanced for a youth camp in we have planned: Barcelona in 2010. We recognise that with this leadership comes great responsibility. And we also To Inspire European society, we are Again working closely with Member know that we cannot reach the vision restructuring our events schedule to make Federations, we aim to use athletics as a alone. the sport more visible and attractive. The catalyst for behavioral change in young European Athletics Championship will people. We know they will become fitter, We can only succeed by working together take place every two years from 2012 healthier and better people. with all Europeans involved in athletics, in onwards, as opposed to every four years cooperation with our Member Federations as at present. To help more Europeans participate in and fully supported by the world governing athletics, we want to make the sport more body of athletics. This means we will be able to take accessible, credible and relevant to young advantage of the intense interest in people. I firmly believe that our initiatives will athletics during each Olympic year. It also encourage many more Europeans to choose means that there will be more European So we are working with experts to deliver to make athletics their: “Sport for Life”. Champions providing inspiration to a a greater variety of athletics content greater number of Europeans, and in through more fixed and mobile digital Finally, on behalf of myself and my particular, young Europeans. channels. Council colleagues I would like to wish you and your loved ones a nice break over We are replacing the European Cup with To help emerging European athletes meet Christmas and a happy and healthy 2009! the European Team Championships, with their aspirations, we have been very an exciting new format with combined active. men and women’s teams. One of our biggest innovations here will be And as leaders, we are not afraid to the restructuring of the one day meetings. experiment with rule changes in this This will be the biggest change in our sport Hansjörg Wirz competition, to make the sport even more for many years. It involves transforming President, European Athletics

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 3 Your Sport for Life The Champions

Thorkildsen on his way to an Olympic gold and an Olympic record in Beijing

Andreas Thorkildsen (NOR) Waterford Crystal European male Athlete of the Year 2008. Right time, right place Andreas Thorkildsen successfully defended his Olympic men’s javelin title this summer

Norwegians and javelin excellence seem friendly rival Finland’s Tero Pitkämäki took and his triumph in Beijing was instrumental to go-hand-in-hand as his only other the award 12 months ago. compatriot to win Europe’s top individual in the Norwegian becoming the Waterford athletics honour was Trine Hattestad in His winning throw in Beijing, in still 1990. conditions which were far-from-ideal for Crystal European Athlete of the Year 2008. long distances, came in the fifth round but Thorkildsen has developed a well-deserved Thorkildsen dominated the competition reputation for finding his form on the big from the outset. occasion and in the Chinese capital he sent his implement out to a new Olympic He took the lead with 84.72m in the win a World Championships gold medal after earning the silver record of 90.57m, finishing nearly four opening round and improved with his on the last two occasions. metres clear of his nearest rival. following two throws to 85.91m and 87.93m before unleashing his massive Helping him hopefully climb to the top place on the podium next “It’s a big honour getting this award. It’s winning effort with his penultimate summer in Berlin will be his coach Åsmund Martinsen, who will been a great season and all the hard work attempt. now be alongside him every day. has paid off. It’s been incredible and this makes it even better, what can I say, I’m After just two days rest at home - “In my Martinsen has been Thorkildsen’s mentor since he moved to Oslo just very happy with my season,” reflected own bed. It was the thing I was looking as a 17-year-old in 2001 but, until now, the relationship has been the delighted 26-year-old when presented forward to as soon as I’d got my gold on a part-time basis because Martinsen was also employed as with his impressive glass trophy at the medal,” - following a riotous reception a teacher. recent European Athletics Convention in for him at Oslo airport on his return to Amsterdam. , Thorkildsen cemented his position However, Martinsen announced recently that he was going to as the best thrower in the world this year devote himself entirely to working with Thorkildsen. Thorkildsen was born and brought up in with 90.28m at the ÅF Golden League “Having Åsmund with me full-time helps in a big way. For port city of Kristiansand but who now meeting in . No other thrower in instance, we can now be more flexible when it comes to taking lives 300 kilometres up the coast in the the world this year went gone over the trips abroad for training. Having him there alongside me at almost Norwegian capital Oslo. 90-metre barrier. Nevertheless, Thorkildsen all my training sessions will be great, I’m really looking forward is now going to sit on his laurels. to seeing how it goes,” added Thorkildsen, paying tribute to the “I’ve had a few small injury problems man who has been a key contributor to his success. this season but my targets were always “My approach is now essentially the winning on home soil, in front of family same every year as there is always one big “I’ve also already started looking ahead to 2010 and the and friends, in Oslo at the championship in the summer and I attack European Athletics Championships in Barcelona, that will be the and, obviously, also at the Olympics so I things full force as I can’t afford to relax. main meeting of that year for me as I’m the defending champion went two-for-two, as the Americans say, Everybody is out to beat me and I can’t be in my event. if you look at it like that. complacent.” “I’ve never competed in Barcelona but I have been there once Thorkildsen is also the second successive Despite his two Olympic gold medals and before, when I went on holiday, and went to see the stadium. male javelin thrower to win the honour a victory at the 2006 European Athletics It’s a great venue for the Championships and a great city so of being the Waterford Crystal European Championships, Thorkildsen remains I’m already looking forward to actually throwing there,” added Athlete of the Year, coming after his motivated not least because he has yet to Thorkildsen, looking into his crystal ball.

4 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK The Champions e Lif r fo t Spor our Y The Queen on the Top again

The 26-year-old Russian superstar, arguably get the world record on my final try, I imagined what the reaction In addition to her outdoor triumphs, with the most familiar face in global athletics, from the stadium would be like, I knew everybody would be 10 consecutive victories in 2008, she also regained the honour she had previously cheering. set a world indoor record of 4.95m in won in 2005. January and went on to win the World “Everything expects something great from me so I didn’t want Indoor title in the Spanish city of Her unbeaten outdoor season included to disappoint the crowd. “I wanted to win at the Olympics but I in March. three world records, topped by the 5.05m don’t think I would have been truly happy if I hadn’t set a world clearance which won her the gold medal record. After all, that’s what I did when I won my first Olympic title Isinbayeva is now unbeaten at a global or at the Olympic Games in Beijing. in four years ago,” reflected Isinbayeva. continental championship since she finished third at the 2003 World Championships. It is a mark of her popularity and high “I was motivated to do well this year because at the end of last profile that in many countries around year, and the start of this summer, some people were saying that Despite the fact that Isinbayeva continued the world, not just in Europe, television I couldn’t improve any more and that my days at the top were to dominate her event this year, she has audience figures showed her to be the coming to an end. That made me a little angry.” confessed it was a far from simple task to most widely watched competitor in any win her second consecutive Olympic gold sport at the Olympics. It is a mark of her consistency at the very highest level, and the medal. public affection for her, that she has not been outside the top In the Birds Nest stadium itself, she had the three of the voting for the Waterford Crystal European Athlete of “The problem for me in Beijing was stage to herself as she firstly clinched the the Year in the last five years. psychological as I knew physically that I gold medal and then attempted her 24th was in the best shape I’ve ever been in. world record as all the other events in the In Athens, I was the favourite but not in arena had ended. Yelena Isinabyeva, often called the Queen the same way I was at this year’s Olympics. This time there was pressure beforehand “I like to be the centre of attention and in of Pole Vaulting, has capped another from everywhere. that respect, I’m very happy to have won the Waterford Crystal European Athlete of tremendous year by being the unanimous “No one thought I could lose but it’s never the Year award again. that easy. On the outside, I was doing choice as the female Waterford Crystal my best to stay calm but inside I was “It is always a nice feeling and in Beijing, trembling. In the Olympic village I tried to with everyone watching me, it gave me European Athlete of the Year 2008. hide, and I just stayed in my room most extra motivation after two failures at of the time, thinking about the day of the 5.05m. To help get me over the bar and competition. Waterford Crystal European female Athlete of the Year 2008 “But everyone knows me while I knew that I needed to concentrate and focus on the Yelena Isinbayeva (RUS) competition. I put on sunglasses and a hat to try to disguise myself when I went to the dining room but at the same time I couldn’t walk the other way if someone came up to me to talk, that would be ridiculous,” she joked.

Her Olympic gold medals in Athens and Beijing now mean that one of her lifelong ambitions has been fulfilled, although at the 2012 Olympics in London she has hopes to become the first woman to win the same individual event at three consecutive Games.

Another target in her sights is one established by her friend and mentor, the Ukrainian legend . “My goal is to beat the 35 world records that Sergey set.”

Her tally should continue to rise in the coming years as her soaring clearances this summer have shown there is little sign of her yet reaching her limit. Issy taking the applause of the crowd in Beijing

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 5 Your Sport for Life The Champions

Twell wins her second SPAR European Junior Cross Country title in Toro 2007

Triple crown beckons!

Twell’s highlight of the year was winning the IAAF World Junior Championships Stephanie Twell (GBR) 1,500m gold medal in July, in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz. She also topped this European Athletics female Rising Star 2008 season’s junior women’s world rankings over the classic distance and competed at Great Britain continues to provide a good At the Olympics, Twell again proved herself the Olympic Games. to be the top teenager over the distance as stock of future stars for European Athletics she ran 4:06.68 to finish sixth in her heat, The physiology student at St Mary’s just missing out on a place in the final University College in South West London with 19-year-old middle distance runner although she left many more experienced followed in the footsteps of her compatriot runners trailing in her wake. Jessica Ennis, after the heptathlete took Stephanie Twell taking the honours as this “I went to Beijing as a junior athlete but the inaugural Waterford Crystal European I’ve established in my own mind that I Athletics Rising Star award 12 months year’s top emerging talent on the continent. can now compete with the seniors,” said ago. Twell. “My only regret is that I didn’t make the final. It meant I had the chance to go “Winning the World junior title was sight seeing and Beijing is a wonderful so much redemption for me after the To just have won one title was fantastic the year before but then city but I’d have much preferred to have injury that set me back two months after to be able to defend it and go into the history books is something been running in the final, I didn’t go to winning the 2007 European cross country that still seems like a dream,” said Twell. the Olympics to be a tourist,” commented title. I think it also proved that it’s not Twell, showing her gritty character. just Africans who can win world titles in “I couldn’t compete at the World Cross Country Championships, “However, to go to my first senior middle and long distance running events,” which was a huge shame as they were being staged in Britain, but championships and for it to be an Olympics commented Twell. the depth of work that I’d put in to win the European title saw was something amazing. Overall, it’s been me through the problems and set me up well for the summer,” an exciting year.” “I came away from the World juniors she added. Twell is determined convinced her day will having learnt a lot as well, how to race come, hopefully in four years time when more tactically, be strong at racing and just Not turning 20 until next August, she is still young enough to the Olympics return to Europe and London don’t be dictated to by the African runners be able to attempt a triple crown at this year’s SPAR European plays hosts to the greatest sporting show but to show them that I can ruffle a few Cross Country Championships in the Belgian capital of Brussels on Earth. feathers too.” on December 14. “To have the Olympics come to London in 2012 will be very special. To have the Twell’s list of honours actually started being Twell’s track record in previous seasons, including a 1,500m silver Olympics in your home town is literally a accumulated in December 2007 when she medals at the 2007 European Athletics Junior Championships, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ll be the retained her SPAR European Cross Country suggested that she was among the favourites for the world junior ripe old age of 23, which is a good age for Championships junior women’s title, the title in Bydgoszcz but she still stunned observers after unleashing a 1,500m runner. What more motivation do first athlete to perform such a feat. an stunning last lap in the World Junior Championships 1,500m I need than to go out there, representing to hit the front with 200m to go and cross the line in 4:15.09. my country and to try and get a medal?” “That was really the start of everything and added Twell, knowing the answer to her everything just carried on from there in the Five days after that victory, she clocked 4:05.83 at the ÅF Golden own rhetorical question. New Year. Winning in Toro was incredible. League meeting in Paris for the fastest time by a junior women in the world this year.

6 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK The Champions e Lif r fo t Spor our Y

Holzdeppe had an outstanding year which not only saw him win the World junior title in July, but also beat the world junior Holzdeppe clears best indoors and equal the world junior record outdoors. Into the bargain, he was one of the youngest men ever to reach an top award Olympic pole vault final.

“It’s been a great year but I didn’t expect this More fireworks were to follow outdoors, especially during a was possible this season but I wasn’t award at all,” smiled a stunned Holzdeppe, momentous two weeks in June. In three successive competitions, thinking seriously about 5.80m. who only turned 19 in September he twice improved on the German junior record outdoors with clearances at 5.65m and then 5.70m before then going over “In fact, I almost didn’t try 5.80m when “In fact, when someone called and said 5.80m to equal the 19-year-old World junior record of Russia’s I went on to clear the record. After that they were from European Athletics and . clearing 5.70m, my coach (the former that I’d won the award, I thought briefly it German record holder and 5.95m vaulter was a one of my friends having a joke! It “To be honest, I was really shocked when I realised what I had Andrei Tivontchik) told me to finish the was only when the news was posted on done at that meeting in Biberach. I had previously thought 5.70m competition there and then but I said to the German federation web site that I was him ‘why not let me have a go at 5.80m, 100 per cent convinced it was true.” I can’t do anything more than fail,’” commented Holzdeppe. The year started with a bang for Holzdeppe when he jumped a German “If you look at my reaction after I cleared national indoor junior record of 5.60m in Germany has a long tradition of producing 5.80m on my third attempt, I think the his first meeting of 2008. Less than two jump is on the internet and it’s been months later he added one centimetre to great pole vaulters and the country’s most shown on TV a few times, you can see the world junior best. I’m genuinely shocked. After clearing recent star in the event is Raphael Holzdeppe, 5.70m I was jumping up and down on the “I jumped 5.50m last year but had a landing bed, I’d achieved my target but, disaster at the European Athletics Junior who is the male Waterford Crystal European after 5.80m, I just sort of collapsed to my Championships where I didn’t even clear knees.” a height in the qualifying round so I Athletics Rising Star 2008. worked very hard during the winter,” he Holzdeppe then consolidated his status reflected. as the world’s top teenage vaulter the European Athletics male Rising Star 2008 following month by winning at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Poland Raphael Holzdeppe (GER) although, with the standards he had been setting during the previous weeks, only with a seemingly modest 5.50m.

“I was very, very happy with getting the gold medal although I would have liked to have jumped higher. It was a difficult competition because for most of the summer I had been vaulting with seniors but this time I had to wait nearly two hours to take my first attempt.”

He showed his own that he could hold his own with the big boys by taking third place in the German championships, despite a plethora of other excellent vaulters among his domestic rivals, and then coming eighth in Beijing with 5.60m.

“Initially, I was a little annoyed with myself because 5.70m was good enough for a bronze medal but now, I look back, and I’m very proud of what I achieved. I was the youngest in the Olympic final by several years,” added Holzdeppe.

Inevitably, speculation has already started about whether he’s the man to beat Sergey Bubka’s long-standing world record but Holzdeppe is wisely putting all such talk on hold for the moment.

“I don’t know what Bubka did as a junior but I know it wasn’t even 5.60m so you can see what I mean. I lot of things can happen in the future which you can’t predict now.”

“I think, in around three or four years, I’ll get over six metres. That’s my target and after that, then we’ll see, what happens,” added Holzdeppe astutely. Holzdeppe going clear in the Beijing Olympics

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 7 Your Sport for Life THE INSIDE TRACK

2008 Innovation Swedish project wins 2008 Awards Jury Chair

Sylvia Barlag, PhD Member, European Athletics Council Innovation Award Nationality:

Sweden’s Carl Askling and Alf Thorstensson were named the overall winners in Judges Scott Drawer, PhD the 6th edition of the European Athletics Innovation Awards during European Research & Innovation Consultant, UK Sport Athletics Awards Dinner in Amsterdam on 18 October. Nationality: Great Britain

Patrick Duffy, BA, MS, PhD Chief Executive, Sport Coach UK Nationality: Ireland

Harald Müller, PhD Executive Director for Development and Sport, Fédération Equestre Internationale Nationality: Germany

Wolfgang Ritzdorf, PhD Deputy Director, Institute for Motor Function and Individual Sport Technique at the German Sport European Athletics Council Member and chair of the jury Sylvia Barlag (NED) presents the University Cologne prize to ’s Carl Askling Nationality: Germany

Claude Stricker, PhD Director, International Academy of Sport Science and Technology Nationality: Switzerland

Jitka Vinduskova, PaedDr, CSc Director, Department of the Faculty of PE and Sport at Charles University in Prague Nationality: Czech Republic

European Athletics Council Member and chair of the jury Sylvia Barlag (NED) presents the prize to Sweden’s Carl Askling

They received a prize of 10,000 Swiss Francs for their project Their paper has been published in the Eight projects were awarded certificates entitled “Hamstring Muscle Strain in Sprinters,” Development section of the European of Honourable Mention. A complete list Athletics website http://www.european- of award winners and further information “The paper by Dr Askling and Dr Thorstensson is one of the first athletics.org and the IAAF’s quarterly is available on the website. to systematically characterise and follow-up acute hamstring journal New Studies in Athletics. injuries, a problem that affects many elite athletes and has been The European Athletics Innovation known to end careers,” said Dr Sylvia Barlag (NED), the chair of The jury named two other projects Awards were created in 1998 to the awards jury. as the winners of their categories: encourage research and the sharing of “Biomechanical Aspects of Training Means new ideas leading to the promotion and “Their findings improve our understanding of how to best treat Selection in Track and Field Jumps” by development of the . such injuries and the ability of medical personnel and coaches to Mikhail Shestakov (RUS) in the Coaching The competition is open to European predict recovery time.” category and “The SPAR Athletics sport scientists, academics, coaches and SPARK” by William Anderson (GRB) in the students. The next edition of the awards Askling and Thorstensson, who both work at the Swedish Promotion category. Each category winner will be in 2010. School of Sport and Health Sciences at the Karolinska Institute in will receive a prize of 2,000 Swiss Francs. Stockholm, beat a total of 22 entries from 14 countries.

8 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK European Athletics e Lif r fo t Spor our Y Convention

Steve Cram (GBR) 1983 World 1500m LOC ! Champion Faces of Amsterdam

A record number of 372 key decision managers, meet organisers, federations, makers from all over Europe gathered in coaches, media and TV). Amsterdam for the 1st European Athletics Convention in October. The Convention culminated in Amsterdam’s beautiful Koepelkerk, where Europe’s finest The Convention programme was designed athletes and Rising Stars were awarded to expand the original European Athletics the titles of Waterford Crystal European Calendar Conference concept into a Athlete of the Year and Waterford Crystal “must attend” annual meeting point for European Athletics Rising Stars of 2008. European Athletics Member Federations offering additional opportunities for Seven television crews from as far a field as education, networking and socialising. Japan and Russia covered the presentation along with over 30 members of the written The first One-Day Meeting Organisers press adding a degree of show biz to the Forum addressed the categorisation of whole weekend. meetings, mandatory events to be held at the meetings, categorisation of the athletes The 2nd European Athletics Convention depending on their position in world lists will take place in in October and integration of stakeholders (athletes, 2009.

New Russian General Secretary Mikhail Butov with Isinbayeva

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 9 Your Sport for Life FOCUS ON ATHLETES

Holm hangs up his spikes

Stefan Holm is only been 1.81m tall but the Swedish high jumper was a giant on the continental and world stage. Phil Minshull* pays tribute to the man often called ‘The Human Bouncing Ball’.

Having retired in September, Holm’s competitive record during an international career that stretched back more than a decade tells its own story.

He won the 2004 Olympic Games gold medal, a myriad of World and European indoor titles and, while admittedly missing out on the top prize, he also got medals at the World Championships and European Athletics Championships.

Into the bargain, having cleared a personal best of 2.40m to win the 2005 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Madrid, he is the co-owner of the accolade of the world best for jumping over your own height.

Many people, after having seen Holm jump, would be moved to comment that there must be elastic in his legs rather than sinew and gristle.

After having won at the World Indoor Championships in March, and also going over 2.37m both indoor and outdoor meetings this year, the question then has to be asked: ‘Why retire?’

“I’m 32 years old, I’d been a world class jumper for 10 years. It was the right time. I wanted to go out at the top and also

10 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK FOCUS ON ATHLETES e Lif r fo t Spor our Y

he will be able to look back on his last If he won most honours in the sport, one of the few that eluded major outing with some nostalgia and it’s Holm was the long-standing European record of 2.42m, held by his personal and private recollections of his compatriot Patrik Sjöberg since 1987. what he achieved that he values most. “I didn’t get the European record - or even the Swedish record “The Olympic gold medal from four years for that matter - but there are definitely plenty of people still ago is in a bank vault. It’s great having around who can break Sjöberg’s European record even though it but actually don’t go to look at it very it’s been there for more than 20 years. often. I’ve got the pictures of Athens, I’ve got the memories that night in Athens, “There’s Andrey Silnov for a start and also the other Russians, and for me that’s much more important Rybakov and Ukhov. I saw my fellow Swede Linus Thörnblad than the physical medal. clear 2.38m indoors last year so you never know what could happen on a good day,” added Holm. “The memories have been what has spurred me on when it’s been tough in Holm may have retired but he is far from lost to the sport. He’s training during the last few years, I could the chairman of the European Athletics Athletes’ Commission, spend more time at home,” responded always go back to that night in Athens to a role he’ll stay in until 2010, and you also have the feeling he Holm recently. spur me on. might still be seen in the stands close to the fan at a few athletics meetings in the coming year. “In the end, I was looking forward to “However, I’ve reflected on the fact that just doing nothing for a while, being an it is ironic, you train and fight your whole * Phil Minshull is a British journalist based in Madrid and ordinary guy, not training and spending life to get an Olympic gold medal, then a regular contributor to European Athletics and IAAF pub- more time with my family, including my what do you do when you’ve got it, put it lications. young son Melwin. in the bank!” joked Holm recently.

“If I had been able to defend my title in Beijing and won my second Olympic gold medal. I would have retired there and then. There would have been nothing more to strive for. However, it was not to be, I finished fourth, so I decided to carry on.

“In fact, I had one of my best competitions of the season right at the end, finishing second at the IAAF Final in , clearing 2.33m. In that sense, I’m happy, I went out on a high note.”

Holm left the high jump area in Stuttgart surrounded by television cameras, with the stadium speakers blaring out the Frank Sinatra standard ‘My Way’ and ceremonially clapped off to the dressing rooms by his fellow competitors after his last international meeting.

The group of erstwhile rivals and, in many cases, friends who provided the informal guard of honour included Russia’s Andrey Silnov, the man who didn’t succumb to sentiment and defeated him in Stuttgart and also succeeded him as Olympic champion just a few weeks earlier.

Even though Holm had one last goodbye to make at the end of this summer, winning at a local meeting in Karlstad,

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 11 Your Sport for Life EDUCATION Council approves 2009 Education Programme

The year 2009 looks set to be European Athletics’ busiest ever in the area of education following Council’s approval of an outline programme of 10 measures to be delivered for key personnel from the Member Federations and the sport.

One of the highlights of the programme agreed in the meeting The 10 European Athletics measures planned will be in addition in Berlin on 3-4 October 2008 will be a Mass Participation Event to the usual strong programme of activities scheduled at the conference addressing the relationship between European IAAF’s Regional Development Centre in for the coming Athletics, city centre road races and health programmes, which is year and the three conferences for coaches and athletes that will planned for the autumn of 2009. make up the 2009 European Athletics Coaching Summit Series.

The 2009 programme will also include second editions of the Dates and venues are currently being finalised and the details will forums for Member Federation leaders, one-day meeting be published on the European Athletics website in early January. organisers, and chief coaches at the European Athletics Convention in Budapest in October. The following information is published so that Member Federations and potential participants can begin planning:

New Leaders Seminar Area Race Walking Judges Update Seminar Target Group: Member Federation Presidents and General Target Group: Current ARWJ Panel and IAAF International Secretaries appointed in 2008 and 2009 RWJs Key Topics: Working with European Athletics and the Key Topics: Preparation and evaluation for appointment Head Office Note: To be staged in conjunction with an IAAF TOECS RWJ Level II course

Television Presentation Seminar Target Group: Network Sport Directors, Producers, One-Day Meeting Organisers Forum Commentators Target Group: Premium and Permit Meeting Organisers Key Topics: Broadcasting the European Team Note: To be staged during European Athletics Championships Convention

Doping Control Delegates Seminar High-Performance Management Forum Target Group: Future delegates for European Athletics events Target Group: Head Coaches, National Event Coaches, Key Topic: Preparation and evaluation for appointment Specialist Coaches Note: To be staged during European Athletics Convention Area Technical Officials Update Seminar Target Group: Current ATO/ITO Panel Key Topics: Preparation and evaluation for appointment Federation Leaders Forum Note: To be staged in conjunction with a 6-day IAAF Target Group: Federation Presidents and General Secretaries TOECS Level II course Note: To be staged during European Athletics Convention

Communications and Branding Seminar Target Group: Member Federation Communications Mass Participation Events Conference Managers Target Group: Federation Leaders, Event Organisers Key Topic: Implementation of the European Athletics Key Topics: Developing the link between Member Communication Strategy Federations and events for recreational and fitness runners Note: To be staged in autumn 2009

For further information see www.european-athletics.org or contact [email protected].

12 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK EDUCATION e Lif r fo t Spor our Y Keeping the skills up-to-date

As the continental governing body for the sport, European Athletics understands the value of training, and while the office staff in Lausanne might never Pole Vault like Isinbayeva or throw like Thorkildsen, even they need to be put through their paces to keep their skills up-to-date!

As part of European Athletics commitment to staff development the entire Head Office team had the honour of welcoming Jorge Salcedo - General Secretary of the Portuguese Federation, Chairman of the IAAF Technical Committee and European Athletics Council Member – to Lausanne for a day of technical training.

After a morning ‘in the classroom’ learning all about the role of a Technical Delegate (ATO’s, ITO’s and a number of other confusing abbreviations) and a question and answer session based on the Technical Officials bible… the ‘Competition Rules’ book, the entire European Athletics staff team and Jorge visited the Lausanne Olympic Stadium as it set up for ‘’.

Staff were able to see first hand the technical rules and processes that had been discussed all morning, and resident expert Jorge was on hand to answer even the toughest of technical questions.

The result was a better informed body of staff, with a new appreciation of the detailed planning and work involved to ensure that all European Athletic events run smoothly, to the highest technical standards.

The staff training didn’t stop there. In September the office went a little further a field to visit the hometown of European Athletics President, Hansjorg Wirz. Jorge Salcedo explaining the finer points of the High Jump to the European Athletics President Wirz invited all the office staff to staff in Lausanne in September. stay in the beautiful Swiss German town of Schaffhausen, to see the sights of his European Athletics Director General Christian Milz said, “A well home town and allow time to discuss the informed and valued head office is central to all the exciting vision for European Athletics in the years developments we are planning over the coming years, and so this ahead. investment in staff learning is vitally important and will continue next year with a feedback workshop planned for early Spring.” European Athletics is determined to advance the great sport of athletics, to European Athletics would like to thank Jorge Salcedo and maintain it’s relevance to an ever more Competition Manager Celia Mendes and President Wirz, his demanding audience, while also remaining lovely wife Trudy and Personal Assistant Caroline for all of their true to the core values and proud history efforts to welcome and educate the European Athletics office of the sport. staff.

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 13 Your Sport for Life State of Sport

European Athletics – Speaking with one voice

I will leave it to others more qualified Like many of you reading this article, I took more than a passing than I am, to give the reasons why and how Barack Obama achieved this great interest in the recent American Presidential elections and feat, however, from a European Athletics perspective, it was very interesting to note was intrigued to see someone who was practically a complete that the election saw a record turnout from younger voters in a campaign unknown three years ago win with a landslide victory. acknowledged to have been the most internet friendly in history.

Among the many characteristics that Mr Obama has been blessed with is the ability to communicate on a world class level and engage the youth in ways not achieved in the past and it was not lost on many of our Council Members that Obama’s election slogan was “Change we can believe in” whereas European Athletics has been working on a similar campaign known as the “Need for Change” since 2005!

During these three years, we have taken a long look in the mirror and identified many challenges facing our sport including how we can win back a greater presence in the media and attract younger people to ensure a healthy and long term future of the sport. In fact, as you read this, we have just returned from our first European Athletics “Youth Conference” in Oslo which was a great success where we formulated plans to develop a clear youth strategy for the future.

Following a detailed process, a little over 12 months ago we appointed an experienced sports communications expert to work with us on a new Communications Strategy, which we launched at a packed press conference at the European Athletics Athletics, replacing the former, European For the highest number of Europeans to form a loyal Convention in Amsterdam in October. Athletic Association which exists only as relationship with athletics for life. a legal entity. At our last Congress in Cannes in 2007, This vision lead to a new slogan Your Sport for Life, with the word European Athletics underwent a significant Following this, we launched a very clear life having a double meaning including the fact that people can organisational and constitutional change. vision which we hope will lead, equip and have a relationship with the sport from cradle to grave, through As a result of this growth and evolution, inspire all the members of the European being an athlete, then coach, then official etc and secondly that there was a desire to create a clear brand Athletics Family. That is: by participating in the sport you can greatly add to the fulfilment strategy for the organisation. This re- and health of your life. branding process initially saw the adoption of a new logo and new name, European

14 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK STATE OF SPORT e Lif r fo t Spor our Y

We then set the following aims: 2. Delivering world-leading programmes that use Athletics as a To be the sport that European parents basis for increased sports participation leading to improved European Athletics wishes would most like their children to health, well-being, social cohesion and harmony across to thank all our sponsors for participate in. European Society. In this way mass participation will lead to To be more attractive and have a higher an increase in numbers aspiring to perform at a higher level. their support throughout 2008 “street credibility” (than the current perception) amongst young people in The next steps for us is to bring all these words and sentences to Europe – reflecting society as it is and life and I am very pleased to announce that a number of plans are will become. just being finalised and will be launched in 2009 including a full To truly meet the needs of European and Education Programme (see details elsewhere), a full championship national corporate and broadcasting programme including Indoor, 1st Team Championships, Junior, organisations. U23, Race Walking Cup, Combined Events, Mountain Running, For more elite performance athletes to Winter Throwing Cup, 10 000m Cup and Cross Country. become stars in their national markets and help inspire more of society to take On top of this we will organise another European Athletics up and stay with athletics for life. Communication Seminar to create a greater awareness and To be a formalised and accepted way in understanding of our Brand with the Communications Managers Europe of engaging in physical activity of the 50 Member Federations. to help address health and social issues in European society. To achieve this we need to realise and accept that there is a need To become the leading sport in the for uniformity and alliance among all our member federations to identification and elimination of doping have one strategy for the whole of Europe and not a separate cheats. strategy for each of the 50 individual members. To speak with one voice is crucial and when we do, together we are much stronger! The key word for us in the future is leadership and we intend to work Of course our sport, like many other sports faces significant with our Member Federations and challenges, but if you are in any doubt whether we can adapt to other organisations in a twin pillar these challenges, I want to say very loud and clear, YES WE CAN! strategy: 1. Running the highest level events Rest Assured, the sport is alive and well and I look forward to together with thought and ethical seeing you at an event near you in 2009. On behalf of myself leadership services for Europe’s elite and my colleagues and myself, I would like to wish you and athletes to provide inspiration for the your family a very happy Christmas and a healthy and successful wider European Society – especially 2009. youth. This will help provide motivation for tens of millions to engage in See you next year. the European Athletics well-being programmes Christian Milz, Director General

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 15 Your Sport for Life THE INSIDE TRACK

European Athletics CROSS COUNTRY MEETINGS 2009 Month Name of Meeting City Ctry Pierre Dasriaux, a true European 6. January 52nd Cross Country Internacionale San Giorgio ITA 18. January 32nd Cross della Vallagarina Rovereto ITA One of the most experienced athletic leaders in the world, Pierre 25. January White Cross SRB Dasriaux passed away in Paris on October 2 at an age of 88. 25. January Lotto Crosscup de la Province de Hannut BEL Liège Pierre Dasriaux´s long and influential career as a sports administrator European Athletics Indoor Meetings 2009 began in his native France, where he was elected General Secretary Date Name of Meeting City Ctry for more than 25 years and, in addition, Vice President of the French 29. January Samsunggalan Göteborg SWE Athletic Federation. 7-8. February Reval Hotels Cup 2009 Tallinn EST 11. February Pedro’s Cup Bydgoszcz POL In 1970 Dasriaux became the first ever Honorary Secretary of the 13. February 4. International Athletics PSD Düsseldorf GER European Athletic Association - a position which he successfully BANK Meeting handled until 1991, when he took over the task as Honorary Treasurer 14. February Zepter Pole Vault Stars UKR for four more years. 28. February Eduard Grigoryan Memorial Moscow RUS European Athletics Race Walking Meetings 2009 During the 1970´s and 1980´s Pierre Dasriaux was, in fact, together with Date Name of Meeting City Ctry President Arthur Gold and Treasurer Jean Frauenlob, the real symbol of 08. March Gran Premio Citta di Lugano Lugano SUI the European Athletic Association. It now looks almost unbelievable 28.March VI Trofeu de Martxa Santa Eularia St. Eularia ESP that the whole administration of European Athletics and its expanding des Riu des Riu competition programme was at that time conducted completely on an 28. March Dudinska 50-ka Dudince SVK honorary basis without any permanent office or salaried staff! 25. April Podebrady 2008 Podebrady CZE 28.June 17th Dublin International GP Dublin IRL Dasriaux also used his experience in the service of the IAAF as a long European Athletics Outdoor Premium meetings 2009 term member of the Technical Committee (1964-81) and the IAAF Date Name meeting Venue Ctry Council (1976-87). He was also a key person as a Technical Delegate in 3 June Tallinn 2009 Tallinn EST creating the first ever IAAF World Championships in 1983 in 8 June Memorial Josef Odlozila Prague CZE a success. 10 June Thessaloniki meeting 2009 Thessaloniki GRE 11 June IX European Athletics Festival Bydgoszcz POL Pierre Dasriaux´s deep knowledge of athletics, his administrative skills 12 June Memorial Primo Nebiolo Turin ITA and his devotion to athletics made him admired and gave him friends all 13 June 55th Memorial Janusz Kusocinski Warsaw POL over the world. We in Europe are most grateful for Pierre’s outstanding 27 June GP Andalucia Malaga ESP role in building up the position for European Athletics. Without his long 30 June Meeting Lille Metropole Lille FRA lasting efforts for athletics on our continent, European Athletics would 1 July Moscow Open Moscow RUS not be to-day as strong as it is today. 5 July Znamensky Memorial Zhukovsky RUS 15 July Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern SUI Pierre´s contribution to the athletic movement has rendered him a 18 July KBC Night of Athletics Heusden-Zolder BEL number of decorations. Among these he was appointed Honorary Life 18 July Reunion Internacional de Zaragoza ESP Member of European Athletics and the IAAF. Atletismo: Gobierno de Aragon 20 July 25th Vardinoyiannia Rethymno GRE But Pierre is not only remembered for his outstanding contribution 1 September 45th Palio Citta Della Quercia Rovereto ITA to our sport, he is, above all, missed around Europe as a true friend European Athletics Outdoor Classic meetings 2009 and fine personality. Our thoughts go to his dear Gabriele and family Date Name meeting Venue Ctry members. 29 May Int. Meeting Memorial Artur Takac Belgrade SRB 30 May Papaflessia Kalamata GRE With grateful thanks to Carl-Olaf Homén (FIN) and Heiner Henze 1 June 61st Venizelia Chania GRE (GER) 3 June Anhalt 2009 Dessau GER 5 June Askina 2009 Kassel GER 13 June 64th Cezmi Or Memorial Istanbul TUR 25 June Sollentuna GP Stockholm SWE 27 June International Athletics Meeting Sofia BUL Pavel Pavlov 2 July 13th International Athletic Meeting Velenje SLO 8 July XXXVII Gran Premio Diputacion de Salamanca ESP Salamanca 12 July Lappeenranta Games Lappeeranta FIN 20 July Gugl-Gala Linz AUT 25 July Reunion Internacional Ciudad de Barcelona ESP Barcelona 30 August Meeting Citta Di Padova Padova ITA 2 September Pedro’s Cup Szczecin POL 6 September The Athletic Bridge 2009 Dunica nad SVK Vahom

16 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK THE INSIDE TRACK e Lif r fo t Spor our Y

European Athletics Major Events 2009 06.–08.03. 30th European Athletics Indoor Championships , Torino (ITA) 14.–15.03. 9th European Cup Winter Throwing, Los Realejos (Tenerife) (ESP) 24.05. 8th European Cup Race Walking, Metz (FRA) 06.06. 13th European Cup 10000m, Ribeira Brava (Madeira) (POR) 20.–21.06. 1st SPAR European Team Championships, Leiria (POR) 20.–21.06. 1st European Team Championships, 1st League, Bergen (NOR) 20.–21.06. 1st European Team Championships, 2nd League, Banska Bystrica (SVK) 20.–21.06. 1st European Team Championships, 3rd League, Sarajevo (BIH) 20.–21.06. European Cup Combined Events, Super League, Szczecin (POL) 27.–28.06. European Cup Combined Events, 1st League, Zaragosa (ESP) 27.–28.06. European Cup Combined Events, 2nd League, Maribor (SLO) 12.07. 8th European Mountain Running Championships (uphill), Telfes im Stubai (AUT) 16.–19.07. 7th European Athletics U23 Championships, (LTU) 23.–26.07. 20th European Athletics Junior Championships, Novi-Sad (SRB) 13.12. 16th SPAR European Cross Country Championships, Dublin (IRL) Staff changes at Head office in Lausanne

There have been some changes to the initiative led by UKA to attract the 2 million Hungarian Ede Rutkovszky started his role as a staff at the European Athletics at Head road runners in the UK into a online club Coordinator in the Competition Department in August. Office in Lausanne in recent times. based structure. The 30-year-old native of Debrecen, Hungary is vastly experienced and was the Event Manager at the last Communication Manager Pierce Mendes will return to Lisbon to the European Athletics U23 Championships in his home city O’Callaghan and Competition Portuguese Athletics Federation as the in 2007. Manager Celia Mendes have both left Competition Manager and will be the LOC European Athletics to return to their Event Coordinator for the SPAR European Kirsty Anderson has left the Communication Department native countries, Ireland and Portugal, Team Championships in Leiria in 2009. to return to her native and is replaced by Aditya respectively. Kumar. She will be replaced by Marcel Wakim Both will remain in the sport however who was previously employed in the The final addition to the team is 23-year-old Maaike as O’Callaghan has returned to Dublin Competition Department of European Mayor, who replaces Christelle Thonney in the corporate to set up his own sports management Athletics while the search for a replacement services department. She is half Swiss, half Dutch and consultancy and is currently working for O’Callaghan is still ongoing. speaks Dutch, French and English fluently. with UK Athletics as the Business Manager of Run Britain, an exciting European Athletics wishes them all every success in their careers.

European outdoor records set in 2008 Men 50km race walk 3:34.14 * Denis NIZHGORODOV RUS 26.7.80 Cheboksary 11.5.08 Women Pole Vault 5.03 * Yelena ISINBAYEVA RUS 3.6.82 11.7.08 Pole Vault 5.04 * Yelenwa ISINBAYEVA RUS 3.6.82 29.7.08 Pole Vault 5.05 * Yelena ISINBAYEVA RUS 3.6.82 Beijing 18.8.08 10000m 29:56.34 Elvan ABEYLEGESSE TUR 11.9.82 Beijing 15.8.08 71.42 Barbara SPOTAKOVA CZE 30.6.81 Beijing 21.8.08 Javelin Throw 72.28 * Barbara SPOTAKOVA CZE 30.6.81 Stuttgart 13.9.08 3000m SC 8:58.81 * Gulnara GALKINA RUS 9.7.78 Beijing 17.8.08 5000m 14:23.75 + Liliya SHOBUKHOVA RUS 13.11.77 Kazan 19.7.08 U’23 Women Javelin Throw 67.25 + RUS 15.1.86 Irkutsk 2.8.08 Javelin Throw 70.78 Mariya ABAKUMOVA RUS 15.1.86 Beijing 21.8.08 Junior Men 10km race walk 39:57 * Aleksey BARTSAYKIN RUS 22.3.89 Cheboksary 10.5.08 (1.75kg) 70.13 * Mykyta NESTERENKO UKR 15.4.91 24.5.08 Discus Throw 65.13 Mykyta NYSTERENKO UKR 15.4.91 Tallinn 3.6.08 Junior Women 10 km race walk 42:44 Tatyana Kalykova RUS 10.1.90 Cheboksary 10.5.08 Javelin Throw 63.01 * Vira REBRYK UKR 25.2.89 Bydgoszcz 10.7.08 * also world record / + awaiting ratification

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 17 Your Sport for Life Thought Leadership Facing the future with Facebook!

In the first in a series of though leadership articles, European Athletics examines how athletics can use the relatively easy to use social networking tool Facebook how to reach the next generation of athletics talent to your club.

Did you know that Facebook is the largest social networking website in Europe and has nearly 100 million members, of which over 25 million are aged between 15 and 24?

This makes up nearly 60% of the internet audience for this agegroup and with each of these users visiting over 500 pages per month and spending over 4 hours on the site this is an excellent channel to communicate. in athletics and sport. This is amazingly specific when contrasted a social endorsement to the page. We know It also allows excellent communication with other means of advertising. that when a message comes from a friend between brands (or athletics clubs) and regarding a brand, or in this case an athletics the user, providing both a fan-page What next? club, that users take more interest and may and group utility. These can be used to Directing a user to a poorly maintained club website is not going join themselves, on the basis that one of communicate directly with the users in to get youngsters in to the sport. They will have no reason to go their friends has also done so. Indeed, if their familiar environment of Facebook back to that site and will quickly forget it. However, setting up a user is targeted with an ad that another as well as interaction amongst the users a ‘fan page’ on Facebook that the users can affiliate themselves friend has clicked on, the ad will come with themselves that can provide invaluable to with one simple click allows the club to send a message to a personal endorsement by the friend saying insight. all ‘fans’ of the club on a regular basis. When a user becomes a e.g. ‘Joe Blogs has also become a fan of ‘fan’, they are consenting to updates from this page as well as Roma Athletic Club” above the ad, instantly One of the problems facing athletics adding themselves to a list of ‘fans’ that any Facebook user can catching the user’s attention. clubs throughout Europe is to find those view. This page is present every time they log-in to Facebook, interested in athletics in a local area, or giving the club much more scope to communicate with the user. Moves are being made by Facebook to those that may not currently be keen The fan page follows a Facebook template and is incredibly make ‘fan pages’ accessible on public on athletics but may be interested given simple to set up: just fill in the boxes to get it started and then search listings, so if someone searches for some encouragement. add content as and when. It is nothing like updating a web page, example Madrid athletics clubs on Google, which can be complicated and time consuming. Indeed, the as Facebook is so prominent in the search The challenge once these athletes have athletes themselves can update the page, with photos of recent listings, having a club page on Facebook is been found is keeping them in the sport. events, and visible discussions on the page. Facebook provides likely to be near the head of these listings, Social networking sites like Facebook can easy reporting on the fan pages: with page views by day, and and could well be above the club website help clubs find local young athletes and other simple metrics. itself. This would provide athletic club provide a platform to speak to them at content within a digital space that the user their level as well as a central location New users will be greeted with a vibrant engagement between is very familiar with, and would drive them to broadcast events, upload photos and existing users and can join in the conversations; message directly to the page from search, not just videos and for athletes and the club to individual members; or just become a ‘fan’ if they’re not certain from within Facebook. discuss topics, thus keeping the athletes if they want to find out more quite yet. Any ‘fans’ that are not interested, and contactable. known by the club already could then be messaged to see if they Summary are keen to find out more, or perhaps join the club. In conclusion, Facebook allows highly How will clubs find the athletes? targeted advertising at a more favourable Facebook allows an athletics club to The key to a successful athletics club ‘fan page’ is to identify cost than almost any other type of target Social Ads to users in the local area the ‘influencers’ early on; those who are active on Facebook, marketing. It also allows a simple channel based on athletic related interests that encourage friends to join the club page, and update the page from which to communicate with all club they user has specified in their profile themselves with photos/discussion/event updates. If the clubs ‘fans’ and allows the ‘fans’ to update the themselves. can speak to these people and encourage them to use their page themselves and talk to each other. In simple terms, this means that the ads influence, then the club page will evolve and grow organically. Once these users have been reached, the will be relevant to the user, maximising Social Ads and the Fan Page: a powerful combination fan page provides an environment for the response. For example, an athletics club users to add content and discussion, as well in Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome or London The difference between the fan page and an external website is as facilitation of fan communication by the could put ads out to users in their cities that it is social. When someone becomes a ‘fan’ of the club, this club, and a way of speaking to ‘fans’ that aged 13-16 who take a definite interest message is broadcasted to all of his or her friends, essentially adding aren’t yet competing for the club.

18 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK PREVIEW e Lif r fo t Spor our Y

Benvenuti a Torino!

Torino, is a young city. The sea of changes brought about by The biggest event of the 2009 European Athletics Championship the 2006 Winter Olympic Games has given a new dimension to this ancient capital city of the Italian kingdom. What used to programme takes place in the Italian city of Torino from March be a grey industrial metropolis during the last century has today transformed into a modern European centre, where lifestyle jells 6-8. Here, Marco Sicari, the Communication Manager of the with a hard-working rhythm. Visitors to Italy’s fourth largest city will be offered a wide range of entertainment through theatres, Italian Athletics Federation FIDAL explains what visitors to the restaurants, museums, cinemas, and the downtown itself. Torino sits at the confluence of two mighty rivers, the Po and European Athletics Indoor Championships might expect when the Dora, believed to represent the male and female powers of the sun and the moon. And the city’s cathedral is home to the they visit the city. enigmatic Holy Shroud, which attracts thousands of Catholic pilgrims during its rare public unveilings. Walking slowly along the famous Via Roma, the commercial street connecting Piazza Castello and Piazza S Carlo, considered as the heart of the city, one can still experience the centuries that modelled this city, from middle-age to present days.

Sports remain at the heart of this cultural and commercial hub. The majestic venues of the Winter Olympics are now used for hosting other international events. The Oval Lingotto, the competition venue for the 30th edition of the European Athletics Indoor Championships was used for speed skating events at the Winter Games.

Athletics fans will be able to rejoice the most important athletics event in Europe in 2009 under a roof of more than 26,000 square metres, in a structure located close to the Exhibition area of Lingotto that used to house the factory of automobile giant FIAT.

The tickets for the three days of the Championships can be purchased directly through the event website www.torino2009. org. A map of the venue can help fans to make decision about The National Museum of Cinema, housed What better occasion to travel to Torino their choice of seat, according to their wills and the setup of the at the famous Mole Antonelliana, the than during the European Athletics Indoor field events. landmark dominating the city centre, the Championships, which the city will host Egyptian Museum and the Po riversides from March 6-8. It will be an ideal time to Torino offers a huge number of accommodation options, from will be very hard to miss for any visitor. add some passion for athletics to the joy downtown to the metropolitan area, five stars hotels to youth of an Italian sojourn. hostels, providing concrete answers to all personal needs. Further Restaurants and wine-bars offer the details regarding accommodation have also been made available specialities of Piedmont Region. Torino As the organisers of the event would like on the event’s website. also hosts the ‘Salone del Gusto’ (Salon of to call - turning the ‘athletic emotions’ taste), one of the most popular world fair into real feelings! www.torino2009.org dedicated to quality eating and drinking.

Another important yearly event is the International Book Fair held in spring. The fair is thronged by hundreds of thousands of people every year. Last year the numbers reached over 200,000.

INSIDE TRACK 2|08 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 19 Your Sport for Life PREVIEW Great duel beckons in Brussels

It was a duel that was supposed to happen 12 months ago on Spanish soil in Toro but an ill-timed groin injury robbed Britain’s w of the chance to defend the SPAR European Cross Country Championships title he won in 2006.

In Farah’s absence, the ’s Sergey Lebid regained his place on the top of the senior men’s medal podium, notching up his seventh victory in the event.

Now it looks like the pair will stand together on the start line in Brussels’ Park de Laeken on December 14 and, with both men fully fit and determined to add to their gold medal collection, the race could turn out 2007 champion Marta Dominguez not form which took him to victory at the Cross della Volpe in to be one of the most memorable in SPAR expected to defend her title, that trend November. European Cross Country Championships could continue. history. However, Britain’s Andy Vernon followed up his silver medal as The muddy conditions that are expected a junior in 2005 with a bronze in the under-23 category last “I want to make up for missing last year. I in Brussels doesn’t usually favour runners year and should also be a strong contender for the top prize. was very disappointed at not being able to from southern Europe but Spain’s Rosa be in Toro,” said Farah, who spent much of Morató, third last year on home soil, France’s Mourad Amdouni and the Ukraine’s Dmytro Lashyn, November training at altitude in . and Portugal’s former European Junior the junior men’s gold and bronze medallists 12 months ago, cross country champion Inês Monteiro may also be factors despite giving away a year or two to most Altitude training has also figured in have shown enough good early season of their opponents. Lebid’s preparations but he decided to form when beating strong fields in local go in the opposite direction to his usual races to be considered as serious medal The women’s under-23 favourite though is clear cut, with south Russian winter training base in the prospects. Romania’s Ancuta Bobocel looking to defend the title she won mountains at Kislovodsk. last year when she was only 20. Italy’s knows what it is like “I’m the only person to have run in all 14 to have a SPAR European Cross Country The junior men’s race is perhaps the hardest of the six races to of the previous races so obviously I want Championships gold medal hung predict who will be in contention for the medals although four to keep my streak going. I would have to around his neck after winning the junior of last year’s top 10 are eligible to return. have a broken leg not to be at the start race two years ago and he could be in in Brussels,” joked Lebid, who is now line for another, this time in the men’s By contrast, the junior women’s race will boast of the biggest 33-years-old. under-23 race, if he can reproduce the favourite of the day, Britain’s Stephanie Twell.

Lebid had some injury problems during Twell has been first across the line for the last two years and, the summer, mainly hamstring and back in addition to being the Waterford Crystal European Athletics strains, but he has now fully recovered and female Rising Star 2008, she won the World Junior 1,500m title relishing the prospect of the showing his in the summer. true colours. “There’s a degree of difficulty defending title because you have “The weather has got cooler and I seem expectations of yourself which can then add pressure but if you to be able to forget about any problems stay true to yourself and don’t get distracted and stay focussed I might have had earlier in the year,” he on what you want to achieve, then anything is possible,” she added. commented recently.

However, it would also be foolish to Twell will recognise some of her rivals in Brussels. Poland’s 2007 discount the prospects of Sweden’s Mustafa silver medallist Danuta Urbanik is still a junior and so too is Twell’s Mohamed, who was third two years ago compatriot , the bronze medallist last year. and second in Toro. The steeplechaser now wants to complete his collection of medals The team races are also an integral part of the SPAR European from the SPAR European Cross Country Cross Country Championships and while this preview is being Championships. written before full squads are known, it would be no surprise to have the British, French and Spanish national anthems being The women’s senior race has historically played at some point during the day, just as they were 12 been more unpredictable and with Spain’s (GBR) winning in 2006 months ago in Toro.

20 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 2|08 INSIDE TRACK