A Weekend Full of Athletics

Press Release 6th December 2005

A Weekend full of Athletics

Can a small dot on the map positioned between Lille and Paris be transformed into an athletics capital for three days? It certainly can in Liévin. This town of nearly 34000 inhabitants will be playing host to part of the world's elite from the top Olympic sport from 3-5 March 2006. For the first time, It will do so over a long weekend, hosting not one but two major events in the winter calendar. The first act, Friday evening, is the traditional Meeting Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais in the Stade Couvert Régional. Spectators of this established, top ranked indoor meeting, which already boasts seven world records, will witness an unmissable show. The second act, on Sunday afternoon, is the European Athletics Indoor Cup, the third of that name, bringing together 200 athletes representing ten countries.

Two high points, one site: the indoor stadium in Liévin. One common held on even years, when there is no European Athletics Indoor organisation, shared between the French Athletics Federation and its Championships. The European Athletics Indoor Cup is an event that world Nord Pas-de-Calais League. It was a daring challenge, the result of which champion 110m hurdler Ladji Doucouré, has already pencilled into his is one highly original 'athletics weekend', with something for everyone. diary as his only winter competition. With the emphasis on it being a show, the Meeting Gaz de France Pas-de- Calais, will be supported by a number of the top names including Hicham The Nord Pas-de-Calais League and the general public of Northern France El Guerrouj, set to run the 1500 m, the record hungry Christine Arron, have often demonstrated that nothing is impossible and Liévin is clearly (who may attempt a 60m record), Eunice Barber and Carolina Klüft, no exception. They fully intend to fill the 4000 seats in the covered battling it out for supremacy in the combined events. Frankie Fredericks, stadium twice over in the space of three days. Several of the region's the Namibian sprinter, world champion at 200m in 1993, will be the secondary schools and colleges have been called upon to prepare for this patron of the event and Bruno Marie-Rose, author of a great 200m world double event; even going as far as appropriating the colours of the ten record on this same track (20:36 in 1987), will also be along for the party. nations invited to the European Athletics Indoor Cup over the three winter months. A magnificent opportunity to boost athletics in schools', stressed The European Cup is synonymous with athletics being a team sport; an Philippe Lamblin, President of the Nord Pas-de-Calais League. athlete’s personal performance running hand in hand with providing the maximum points for their country. A welcome addition to the Athletics Two distinct but highly complementary approaches, just hours apart, calendar, this event has twice been organised in Leipzig, in 2003 and 2004 united under one roof in a single campaign for today's athletics. A and brings together the top six countries from the outdoor SPAR European weekend filled entirely by athletics, to be savoured with no holds barred. Cup, plus the top two from the First League. The event is now due to be

Three questions for Bernard Amsalem, President of the French Athletics Federation (FFA)

"To give the Nord Pas-de-Calais region a European dimension"

Why did France put in an application to organise the third European This event in Liévin will be backed by both the FFA and the Nord Pas- Athletics Indoor Cup in Liévin? de-Calais league?

Here in France we have always been extremely attached That's right. We are working together on this so as to ensure the to the idea that athletics can also be a team sport. This popularity and the success of this unique event in sporting terms. This tradition has long been expressed by the great matches region has a very deep-rooted athletics culture. We are very familiar between countries and the outdoor European Cup), with the area's tradition for organising international events, its hosted at Villeneuve d'Ascq in 1995, Paris-Charlety in experience in this field and the history surrounding the indoor stadium in 1999 and Annecy in 2002. Such competitions are a Liévin. Its volunteers have regularly displayed their competence in seeing vehicle for common values and are often accompanied by a very through large-scale events. They are very much sought after, which welcoming atmosphere. They are also a way for the public to see another means they're used to organising. I have complete confidence in them. side to our sport. As a result, applying for the European Athletics Indoor Cup seemed to be the natural choice in order to continue this tradition and to carry on with concept launched by the DécaNation, a competition devised and staged by the FFA last September.

From 3rd to 5th March 2006, the Stade Couvert Régional in Liévin will play host to not one but two events, with the international meeting followed by the European Athletics Indoor Cup. What motivated the decision to organise this ‘Week-End Athlé’ in Nord Pas-de-Calais ?

By linking together the two events we hope to reinforce Liévin's international meeting. It won't exist next year as the indoor stadium will be in the process of being renovated. With this on the horizon we decided that it was important to give the event a certain prestige and a greater visibility this season. Furthermore, this ‘Week-End Athlé’ will enable the region of Nord Pas-de-Calais to take on a European dimension.

Three questions for Philippe Lamblin, President of the Nord Pas-de-Calais Athletics League

"We're planning to pull out all the stops"

The Nord Pas-de-Calais Athletics League, which you What have you got planned to pull off this audacious challenge? preside over, is not new to the organisation of large events. In its hosting of the ‘Week-end Athlé’ in Ten colleges and ten secondary schools have been mobilised for this Liévin, do you feel that you are going up yet another ‘Week-end Athlé’. Each of them will sport the colours of one of the level? countries participating in the European Cup. The students will immerse themselves in the culture and history of these nations. At the same Exactly. But I can't bear routine! Within the league we wanted to revive time, they will prepare themselves for a competition, doubtless a relay, the tradition of big events. The league has already hosted the outdoor organised prior to the start of the competition. We intend to use these European Cup twice before, in 1992 and 1995. To have it indoors this events to boost athletics in schools. This is why the press conference year is a huge responsibility, as success in the third edition of this new presenting the weekend is being held in a school. event, would assure its future. In addition to this the Stade Couvert

Régional is celebrating its 20th anniversary, which we'd like to toast with What are you expecting from these two big events in the Liévin's an explosive display of athletics. These facilities will then be closed for indoor stadium? 12 months from the evening of 5th March, for work to be carried out. Its capacity will increase from 4000 to 6000 spectators. Given that we We're hoping for great things on a sporting level, like last year, when the already know that there won't be a meeting next year we want to mark world record for the women's pole vault was broken at the meeting. In the occasion with something a bit special; a huge festival of sport to the long term, we would like to rediscover the meeting's former glory, bring in the crowds. which saw seven world records tumble. It'll take time but it's a realistic goal. We'd also like to use the weekend to draw in the crowds. The

Stade Couvert Régional has always been full for the meeting. This time we need to fill it twice over in less than three days. It's not going to be easy but we are putting around 20 schools into action for the European Cup. We're also counting on the support of the Italian and Polish community that are numerous in the region.

WEEK-END ATHLE

MEETING GAZ DE FRANCE PAS-DE-CALAIS – Friday 3 March 2006 EUROPEAN ATHLETICS INDOOR CUP – Sunday 5 March 2006

Facts

Two events at the same place (Liévin), on the same week-end (the meeting will take place on the 3rd of March and the European Cup on the 5th of March) Specifics …

People will watch the best of athletics during a whole weekend. We The Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais meeting: a regular and respected had to take this opportunity to communicate on a common platform event and work together to ensure that this festival will be a real success The European Athletics Indoor Cup: a special one-off event for athletics.

The meeting: an individual competition where the athlete is

highlighted

The European Cup: a team competition where the team is highlighted The ‘weekend of athletics’ is born…

More information … The same sport

The same place On the same week-end International events

The same communication

1st Act: the Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais meeting and its challenges

2nd Act: the European Athletics Indoor Cup, Countries and the French Team

The different periods of communication

1st phase: From the 6th of December 2005 to the 15th of January 2006 : a global communication about the ‘Week-end Athlé’

2nd phase: From the 16th of January 2006: a specific communication on each event

Ticketing Getting to the Stadium Special offer for both events... By car:

Pack Athle Fan * - From Paris: (European Athletics Indoor Cup + Meeting Gaz de France PDC) A26 direction Calais-Boulogne-Béthune Tribune: 48 euros Exit 7 (Thélus) then N17 direction Vimy Terraces: 33 euros - From Lille: European Athletics Indoor Cup A21 direction Lens-Liévin-Calais Normal Price A211 direction Arras – Liévin Centre Tribune: 27 euros Terraces: 22 euros By train: FFA Price - From Paris: We advise you to go to Lens and by taxi to the Regional Indoor Stadium (5km). Tribune : 20 euros Terraces: 15 euros

Meeting Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais Normal Price Tribune: 35 euros Terraces: 25 euros FFA Price Tribune : 30 euros Terraces: 20 euros

Reservations: 0 892 692 694 (0,34€ TTC/min) or www.francebillet.com * Offer valid until 15 January, same category, same seat

TOURIST OFFICES http://www.crt-nordpasdecalais.fr/ http://www.cdt-nord.fr/fr/ http://www.pas-de-calais.com

MEETING GAZ de FRANCE PAS-DE-CALAIS in detail…

MEETING GAZ DE FRANCE PAS-DE-CALAIS

A bit of history…

The first international meeting took place in Liévin in 1988, two league, the 400 volunteers, the members, and the sponsors, work years after the Stade Couvert Régional, the largest and most with the support of the French Athletics Federation, for this world modern indoor stadium in Europe, was constructed. After event to keep the place it has acquired and to continue to realise organising the European Indoor Championships in 1987, Michel the dreams of millions of enthusiasts. Bernard had the idea of setting up a great international event the following year. The international meeting was born. From 1989, Philippe Lamblin took up the torch, bringing the event And a lot of records… to the top of the world’s international indoor events 4 years later. Since then, the meeting - renamed “Meeting Gaz De France du 6 world records, 40 continental records established or smashed in Pas-de-Calais” 8 years ago - has grown and has earned the title 15 years of existence! The Meeting Gaz De France Pas-de-Calais of best indoor meeting in the world 10 times. has as many victories to its credit as the world’s best athletes. In 1997 Georges Pochon became president of the regional By providing athletes with the best conditions to perform amazing athletics league and the meeting, a position he held until 2004. records, this regional event with a world scale, has managed to Today, Philippe Lamblin has returned to the head of the league rank 10 times at the top of the world’s best indoor athletics and the meeting. He is surrounded by a team of permanent events. employees, who, together with the elected members of the

7 WORLD RECORDS TO ITS CREDIT!

The magical sixth lane has seen three 200m world records smashed – plus another one during the European Indoor Championships in 1987. *1993: Women’s 200m : Merlene OTTEY establishes a fabulous world record in 21.87, record that she still holds. *1993: Men’s pole vault : Sergey BUBKA flies away up to 6.14m. *1994: Women’s triple jump : Inna LASOVSKAYA jumps three giant leaps to reach the sand at 14.90m *1995: Men’s 200m : Linford CHRISTIE battles hard to get Bruno Marie Rose’s world record, running 20.25. *1996: Men’s 200m: Frank FREDERICKS becomes the first man to cross the finishing line under 20 seconds, running 19.92. *2002: Women’s pole vault : Svetlana FEOFANOVA breaks the world record for the 4th time of the season, jumping 4.74m. *2005: Women’s pole vault : Yelena ISINBAYEVA is getting closer to the 5.00m barrier.

Meeting Programme

Men’s Events Meeting Schedule 60m 300m 1000m 19:00 Pre-Event 2000m 20:00 Meeting Starts 60m hurdles 22:30 End of the Meeting High jump

Women’s Events

60m 200m or 300m 1000m 60m hurdles Pole vault Triple jump

Meeting Records

FEMMES / WOMEN HOMMES / MEN

60 m Irina PRIVALOVA RUS 1994 6”93 60 m Bruny SURIN CAN 1993 6”45 200 m Merlene OTTEY JAM 1993 21”87 200 m Franck FREDERICKS NAM 1996 19”92 World Record World Record 400 m Grit BREUER GER 1998 50“73 300 m Joseph BATANGDON CAM 2005 33"17 400 m Darnell HALL USA 1995 45”76

800 m Maria MUTOLA MOZ 1998 1’56”36 1 000 m Maria MUTOLA MOZ 2003 2’34”61 800 m Marko KOERS NED 1997 1’47”42 1 500 m Gabriella SZABO ROM 2001 4’03”42 Joseph TENGELEI KEN 1997 1’47”42 Mile Gabriella SAZBO ROM 1998 4’27”27 1 000 m Mehdi BAALA FRA 2004 2’17”06 1 500 m Hicham EL GUERROUJMAR 1998 3’32”01 Mile Hailu MEKONNEN ETH 2000 3’54”78 2 000 m Gabriella SAZBO ROM 2000 5’38”76 3 000 m Gabriella SAZBO ROM 1999 8’34”09 60m hurdles Michelle FREEMAN JAM 1997 7”77 2 000 m Venuste NYONGABO BUR 1996 4’54”76 3000m Walk Beate ANDERS GER 1994 12’06”24 3 000 m Haile GEBRESELASSIE ETH 1999 7’31”25 2 miles Hicham EL GUERROUJMAR 2003 8'06"61 60 m hurdles Allen JOHNSON USA 1995 7”40 High Jump Stefka KOSTADINOVA BUL 1992 2,02m 5 000 m walk Frantz KOSTIUKEVICHBLS 1993 18’28”50 Pole Vault Elena ISINBAYEVA RUS 2005 4,89m Long Jump Heike DRESCHLER GER 1995 7,09m Triple Jump Inna LASOVSKAIA RUS 1994 14,90m Long Jump Ivan PEDROSO CUB 1997 8,60m High Jump Javier SOTOMAYOR CUB 1995/96 2,38m Pole Vault Sergueï BUBKA UKR 1993 6,14m Triple Jump Leonid VOLOCHIN CEI 1992 17,33m Shot Put Karsten STOLZ RFA 1990 19,83

The Organisation

Meeting Director: Philippe LAMBLIN Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 35 Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 39 E-mail : [email protected]

Coordinator Christophe HALLEUMIEUX Athletes Contact : Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 32 Gérard FREMAUX Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 38 Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 35 E-mail : [email protected] Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 39 E-mail : [email protected] Transport Grégory LECLER Press Contact Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 30 Florence JOLY Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 39 Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 22 E-mail : [email protected] Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 39 Email : [email protected] Accommodation [email protected] Isabelle DUPUIS E-mail : [email protected] Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 30 [email protected] Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 39 E-mail : [email protected] Ticketing Emeline MIESZCZAK Technical Tél / Phone : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 30 Sylvain MICHEL- Catherine STAWSKI Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 37 Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 24 E-mail : [email protected] Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 37 E-mail : [email protected] Tchernobyl Race Jean-Pierre WATELLE Pre-event Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 33 Sylvain MICHEL Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 37 Tel : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 21 E-mail : [email protected] Fax : +33 - (0)3 21 08 62 39 E-mail : [email protected]

Press Information

Press Centre: On Thursday 2/03. Opening from 10 am to 8 pm. On Friday 3/03. Opening from 10 am to 6 pm. On Saturday 4/03. Opening from 9.30 am to 8 pm. On Sunday 5/03. Opening from 9.30 am to 2 pm. Hotel Mercure Arras 58 bd Carnot 62000 ARRAS Tel: +33 (0)3/21238888 Fax: +33 (0)3/21238889 (Start lists will be available) On Friday 3/03 at the press office of the STADE COUVERT REGIONAL accreditations will be handed out from 4 pm. On Sunday 5/03 from 11 am

Parking Facilities Photographers Parking spaces will be reserved for journalists at the PRESS parking area if In line with international regulations only 10 photographers will be they show their press card or an accreditation confirmation. allowed infield access. Only photographers with infield bibs will be allowed access. Press Updates You will benefit from press updates all day long on Thursday at the Hotel Catering Novotel Lille Flandres (address given above). You also can make Tickets for lunch are on sale in the restaurant of the CRAF (the interviews of athletes on the Thursday afternoon from 2 pm. building located right in front of the Stade Couvert Régional). A cocktail will be offered at the end of Meeting in the press gallery. - During the Meeting, a mixed zone will be located in a space beside the warm-up area. Athletes Contact Gérard FREMAUX : Ligue Nord/Pas-de-Calais d’Athlétisme. Résults and Interviews Phone : +33 - (0)3.21.08.62.35 – Fax : +33 - (0)3.21.08.62.39 Results and flash interviews will be distributed after each event Accreditations Contact Florence JOLY : Ligue Nord/Pas-de-Calais d'Athlétisme Phone : +33 - (0)3.21.08.62.22 – Fax : +33 - (0)3.21.08.62.39 www.meetinggazdefrance62.com

EUROPEAN ATHLETICS INDOOR CUP in detail…

EUROPEAN ATHLETICS INDOOR CUP

A bit of history…

The first edition of the European Athletics Indoor Cup took place in The European Athletics Indoor Cup was introduced as a project event with Leipzig, Germany, in 2003. the intention of reviewing the success of the competition after the third edition which takes place in Liévin on 5 March 2006. The Cup was introduced as it was felt that there was not enough top level competition for European athletes during the indoor season when there The teams who finish in the top six positions at the SPAR European Cup was no European Athletics Indoor Championships. It was decided that a plus the winners of the European Cup First League Group A and B matches team competition in a similar format to the SPAR European Cup would be in the previous year are qualified to compete in the European Athletics the best format for the competition. Indoor Cup.

The European Athletics Indoor Cup takes place in alternate years to the The Cup features seven track events for both men and women including a European Athletics Indoor Championships. The second edition was held in 4 laps (800m) x 3 laps (600m) x 2 laps (400m) x 1 lap (200m) relay, plus Leipzig in 2004 because of the change in sequence of the European three field events for men and two for women or two for men and three Athletics Indoor Championships with the IAAF World Indoor for women on an alternate basis. Championships. The 2003 European Athletics Indoor Cup was won by Spain’s men and Russia’s women and in 2004 Russia retained the women’s Cup and France was victorious in the men’s competition.

Presentation of the European Athletics Indoor Cup

5 March 2006 – doors open at 2 pm Athletes engaged

Place – Stade Couvert Régional de Liévin 200 athletes in total

(13 athletes in each men’s and each women’s team) Races - 60m, 400m 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m hurdles, relay 4x3x2x1 laps Men Jumps – Pole vault and triple jump for women, high and long jump Finland for men France Germany Throws – Shot put for men Italy Poland

Russia Spain Ukranie

It is the third edition after Leipzig in 2003 and 2004. Created by the EAA, this event presents the best national team: Women the first six teams at the 2005 SPAR European Cup and the two France first place teams from the league below. Germany 2004 Winners: Men from France and Women from Russia Poland Romania www.lievin2006.com Russia www.european-athletics.org Spain Sweden Ukranie

SCHEDULE

15h15 Opening

15h30 ------Shot Men 16h35 ------Long Jump Men

15h35 3000 m Women 16h40 1500 m Women

15h35 ------Triple Jump Women 16h50 60 m Hurdles Women

15h40 ------Pole Vault Women 17h00 60 m Hurdles Men

15h50 400 m Women A 17h10 60 m Women

15h50 ------High Jump Men 17h15 60 m Men

15h55 400 m Women B 17h20 1500 m Men

16h00 400 m Men A 17h30 Relay 800-600-400-200 Women

16h05 400 m Men B 17h40 Relay 800-600-400-200 Men

16h10 3000 m Men 17h55 Award Ceremony 16h25 800 m Women

16h30 800 m Men

Organising Commitee

HONORARY MEMBERS Members (NPC) : Gilbert BOULEUX, EAA President Hansjörg WIRZ Gilbert FORAY, Sports Minister Jean-François LAMOUR Christophe HALLEUMIEUX, President of Nord-Pas-de-Calais Regional Council Daniel PERCHERON Jean-Marie SEBERT, President of Nord-Pas-de-Calais Local Council Dominique DUPILET André VALADE President of the Communaupole Lens-Liévin Michel VANCAILLE ORGANISING COMMITEE MP and Mayor of Liévin Jean-Pierre KUCHEIDA President of the Stade Couvert Régional Dominique BAILLY General Coordination Jean GRACIA Local Coordination Christophe HALLEUMIEUX EAA DELEGATES Protocol (FFA): Annie LAURENT, Council Delegate Karel PILNY (CZE) Protocol (NPC): Christian PICOTIN Technical Delegate José-Luis DE CARLOS (ESP) Hospitality (FFA): Emmanuel FEILLARD Doping Control Delegate Pedro BRANCO (POR) Technical and facilities (FFA): Christian BAUTRAU, Media Delegate Emily LEWIS (GBR) Pierre DELACOUR Jury of Appeal G. CONSTANTOPOULOS (GRE) Technical and facilities (NPC): Sylvain MICHEL, Anny SCHMITZ (NED) Gilbert FORAY ATOs Willy NAUWELAERTS (BEL) Media and TV (FFA): Laurence DACOURY, John CRONIN (IRL) Media and TV (NPC): Florence JOLY Yrjö KELHÄ (FIN) International Relations (FFA) : Julien MAURIAT Martin VAN OOYEN (NED) Ticketing (NPC): Emeline MIESCZCAK EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Marketing (FFA): Virgile CAILLET, President Bernard AMSALEM Olivier HUSSENOT Vice-President Philippe LAMBLIN Security and Volunteers (NPC): Sylvain MICHEL Members (FFA) : Jean GRACIA, Accommodation and Transportation (NPC): Gérard FREMAUX, Annie LAURENT, Isabelle DUPUIS, Michel MARLE, Grégory LECLER, Christian ROGGEMANS, Accommodation and Transportation (FFA): Jérémie FAYEIN Communication and Promotion (FFA): Isabelle COLLETTE, Communication and Promotion (NPC): Pascale ZAMPARINI Event Presentation (FFA): Virgile CAILLET Medical (NPC): Béchir BOUDJEMAA Anti-Doping (FFA): Michel MARLE

Press Information

Media Accreditation Parking Facilities Parking spaces will be reserved for journalists at the PRESS parking Media accreditation for the European Athletics Indoor Cup will take area if they show their press card or an accreditation confirmation. place online through the EAA’s Guest Management System. The media accreditation system will open in early January. You will be sent a link to the system by email and you will also be able to access it from the EAA website – www.european-athletics.org – Press Contact Laurence Dacoury and the event website – www.lievin2006.com. 10 bis rue Lucien Voilin

92800 PUTEAUX Accommodation and telecommunications facilities can also be T. +33 - (0)1 47 72 81 41 / F. +33 - (0)01 47 72 81 16 booked through the online accreditation system. Please note that M. +33 - (0)06 18 41 30 28 for telecommunications bookings you will need to download a form [email protected] and send it direct to France Telecom.