INSIDE TRACK NEWSLETTER OF EUROPEAN ATHLETICS DECEMBER 2018

European Athletics Convention Young Leaders in Athletics Data Conference Looking ahead to & Minsk GOLDEN COUPLE Kevin Mayer and Dina Asher-Smith crowned Athletes of the Year 2017 EUROPEAN ATHLETICS CONGRESS

Middle distance champion introducing mascot "Scottee'.

3000m double, setting championship GLASGOW 2019 JUST records in both events. She was one of the first high-profile athletes to publicly confirm her participation in Glasgow, although her AROUND THE CORNER racing schedule during the championships is yet to be fully confirmed. Muir is an ambassador for Glasgow A look ahead to the Glasgow 2019 European Athletics 2019 and has been active in promoting Indoor Championships. the championships. Days after winning the European outdoor 1500m title in Berlin, Great Britain has staged a succession track cycling and the badminton events. she helped to launch the 200 Days To Go of highly acclaimed major events in The Emirates Arena has placed Glasgow Countdown and was present at Crookston recent seasons – including the IAAF World firmly on the international sporting Castle Primary School in October when Championships 2017 and the IAAF map with World Cup gymnastics, UCI ‘Scottee' the Scottie dog mascot was World Indoor Championships track cycling and Davis Cup tennis all officially unveiled. 2018 – and the spotlight will be on the having taken place there over recent The organisers are expecting nearly Scottish city of Glasgow from 1-3 March. years. The SPAR British Indoor Athletics 20,000 people - including fans, athletes, This will be the third European Athletics Championships is staged at the Emirates officials and media - to attend the Indoor Championships staged in Great Arena in alternating years with Arena championships. Britain since its inception in 1970. Glasgow Birmingham and athletics will take centre When they are not watching the athletics hosted the event in 1990 when Linford stage once again in March. action, visitors can visit world-renowned Christie (60m) and Tom McKean (800m) The timing of the championships is ideal free-to-enter museums including the won on home soil, before Birmingham from a domestic standpoint with Scottish Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – hosted the championships in 2007. athletics enjoying a resurgence courtesy recently ranked as one of Britain’s leading The 1990 European Indoor of Laura Muir, Callum Hawkins, Eilish art museums – and the Riverside Museum, Championships were staged in Glasgow’s McColgan, , Jake Wightman, and take in other attractions like Glasgow Kelvin Hall, but next year’s event takes Chris O’Hare and countless others in recent Cathedral, George Square and the Glasgow place at the recently built multi-sport seasons. Botanic Gardens. Emirates Arena. The 5500-seater stadium Muir was one of the stars of the last Tickets for the European Indoor was completed in 2012 for the 2014 European Indoor Championships in Championships can be bought from when it staged the where she won a 1500m and www.glasgow2019athletics.com/tickets.

CEO: Christian Milz Co-ordination: Design, Production, Print: James Mulligan, SportBusiness Communications Office: European Athletics Communication Gautam House, 1-3 Shenley Ave, Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 16 Department Middx, HA4 6BP, CH-1003 Lausanne Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 57 Phone +44 (0)1494 728842 European Athletics [email protected] [email protected], Pensord Association Européenne d’Athlétisme Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 50 Press, UK Text, Photos: President: Svein Arne Hansen Fax +41 (0)21 313 43 51 [email protected] James Mulligan, Phil Minshull, Steven Follow us: Vice Presidents: Mills, Phil Savage, SportBusiness facebook.com/EuropeanAthletics 2 | INSIDE TRACK www.european-athletics.org Dobromir Karamarinov Communications, Svein Arne Hansen, @euroathletics Frank Hensel Inside Track is published by European Christian Milz, Andy Heading, Getty YouTube/European Athletics Jean Gracia Athletics Images, Event Organisers Instagram.com/europeanathletics WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT AUF WIEDERSEHEN BERLIN, HELLO TILBURG AND GLASGOW After months, indeed years, of anticipation I am very pleased to be able to look back at the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships and say it was a resounding success. It was a delight to be there and witness the spectacle first hand. It is fashionable for leaders of sports federations to say that a recently concluded championship was “the best ever” but I genuinely believe that this was the case here and the media reaction in and across has reinforced my view. I say this without any disrespect or criticism of previous European Athletics Championships, most of which were the best ever at the time they were staged. However, most people within our sport, and all of us at European Athletics, strive constantly to improve how athletics is presented – both for the benefit of competitors themselves and for the public-at-large – and in this the Berlin 2018 local organisers did a magnificent job. Not only did Berlin 2018 fulfil its role as the continental pinnacle of our sport, it was also an integral part of the inaugural multi-sport European Championships, and in this respect it delivered a huge success despite the logistical issues of six other sports being co-hosted in Glasgow. I will not go into detail about what made Berlin 2018 and the European Championships such a success – although the spectator numbers, the atmosphere in both Berlin and Glasgow and the TV figures come quickly to mind – but I can say that this summer has provided a platform and blueprint to make the next multi- sport European Championships an even greater success in 2022 and for which a host city should be announced shortly. We have two more European Athletics Major Events in the next few months: the Tilburg 2018 SPAR European Athletics Cross Country Championships and the Glasgow 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships. Both of these host cities have staged their respective events before – Tilburg in 2005 and Glasgow in 1990 – so it is gratifying that the local organisers were keen to repeat the experience. The Royal Dutch Athletics Federation and British Athletics have strong traditions in our sport; for producing top-level athletes, for staging outstanding high-level competitions and for enthusiastic and knowledgeable public support of athletics. European Athletics has been working in close collaboration with the organisers in the and Great Britain so we know that preparations have been methodical and well-managed but also with a level of creativity which will help maintain and enhance the profile our sport needs and deserves across the continent. I think that both events will be magnificent affairs and hugely entertaining. The European Athletics Convention in Lausanne in October brought together our Member Federations and other stakeholders of the sport. Innovation was the key word of this gathering and we were able to offer the biggest and most varied programme of workshops ever in a bid to promote the exchange of ideas and improve communication. A glittering Golden Tracks award ceremony followed in which ’s world record-holder, Kevin Mayer, and Great Britain’s three-time 2018 European champion, Dina Asher-Smith, deservedly received the men’s and women’s European Athlete of the Year trophies. It would also be disingenuous of me not to mention the European Athletics elections next April and I have already announced I will be a candidate for the presidency. The last three-and-a-half years have flown by and I know we still have more to do in order to realise the vision that I was elected to deliver in April 2015, but the progress and successes we have enjoyed since then give me continuing confidence that we can go forward and do this together. SVEIN ARNE HANSEN

INSIDE TRACK | 3 GOLDEN TRACKS

MAYER AND ASHER-SMITH SHARE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR HONOURS World decathlon record-holder and triple European sprint champion crowned at the Golden Tracks award ceremony in Lausanne.

World decathlon record-holder Kevin Mayer and triple Mayer began his season by winning the world indoor European sprint champion Dina Asher-Smith were crowned title in Birmingham with a world-leading score of 2018 European Athletes of the Year at the Golden Tracks award 6348. The Frenchman’s assault on the European decathlon title ceremony at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, came to a premature end with three fouls in the but Switzerland. he returned with a vengeance the following month, improving The annual end-of-season award ceremony which celebrated the world record to 9126 points on home soil at the Decastar a superlative year of athletics was presented by Andy Kay and meeting in Talence. 2016 European long jump silver medallist, Jazmin Sawyers, and "It was a great disappointment and two days after Berlin, I was streamed live across European Athletics’ digital platforms, just wanted to go back onto the track. This is my passion. I was reaching all 51 Member Federations. disappointed for two days, but I just had to get back on the Mayer became the third Frenchman to be named men’s track,” he said, reflecting back on a tumultuous month. European Athlete of the Year after in 2010 Asher-Smith became the fourth British recipient of the and in 2014. The 26-year-old received the women’s European Athlete of the Year trophy after accolade ahead of European champions Armand Duplantis from won the inaugural award in 1993, followed by in , Jakob Ingebrigtsen from and Ramil Guliyev 2004 and Jessica Ennis-Hill in 2012. from , and was presented with his trophy by European Asher-Smith received her trophy from IAAF President Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen. Sebastian Coe. She was shortlisted alongside European pole

4 | INSIDE TRACK EUROPEAN ATHLETICS COUNCIL

“This is a great feeling, but the best feeling was the world record in Talence. This is a great pleasure, but the best pleasure is out on the track. " Kevin Mayer

vault champion and last year’s award winner Ekaterini Stefanidi nominated alongside double European U18 champions Maria from and European heptathlon champion Nafissatou Vicente from and Sarah Healy from Ireland. Thiam from . Herman, who received her award from European Athletics The Brit became just the third female sprinter in European First Vice President, Dobromir Karamarinov, said: “At the start Championships history to take a sweep of the sprint titles and of this year, I couldn’t think that I would be European champion the 22-year-old picked out her 200m victory as her personal and when I took first place, I was shocked. I want to thank highlight of the championships. European Athletics for this amazing and important award and “The 200m was my favourite,” said Asher-Smith, who set a I’m sure it will motivate me for better results.” world-lead and British record of 21.89. “I’ve been trying to go On the men’s side, European champion Armand sub-22 for so long and I might do well in races, but I mess up Duplantis and European 1500m and 5000m champion something all the time so when I did the 200m, it was exactly Jakob Ingebrigtsen were named joint Rising Stars for their how my coach wanted it and that’s the first time in five years.” unprecedented achievements in Berlin. There was a first in the Rising Star category as European 100m Duplantis, 18, cleared three world U20 records and a hurdles champion Elvira Herman became the first Belarusian championship record of 6.05m to defeat one of the most athlete to receive an award at the Golden Tracks award competitive fields ever assembled for a major championships ceremony. Herman, 21, won gold in the women’s 100m hurdles pole vault final, while Ingebrigtsen won a remarkable at the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships. She was 1500/5000m double on back-to-back evenings at the age of 17.

INSIDE TRACK | 5 GOLDEN TRACKS

“I really did not expect to win because there are so many great female athletes across Europe. To think that you guys think I'm the female athlete of the year is crazy." Dina Asher-Smith

Neither of them could attend due to training and study The coach of each European senior champion is automatically commitments in the United States but Duplantis, who is a first- nominated and all Member Federations are also invited to year student at Louisiana State University, recorded a message nominate one additional male and female coach based on the from Baton Rouge. criteria “excellence in coaching.” “I would also like to congratulate Jakob for being the co-winner The first recipients of this year's European Athletics Coaching of this award. There’s not a better athlete I would like to share it Awards were Sweden’s Carina Lindberg and Switzerland’s with,” he said. Jacques Binder while the remainder of the recipients will receive Recently retired , who won five major outdoor their awards at national ceremonies. In total, 58 coaches titles in the long jump between 2012 and 2016, won the Lifetime representing 32 Member Federations will receive a European Achievement Award while Ukraine’s two-time European 800m Athletics Coaching Award. champion Nataliya Pryshchepa received the Fair Play Award. The overall winner of the biennial Innovation Awards were Pryshchepa gained many plaudits for her spontaneous act also acknowledged at the Golden Tracks award ceremony. The of sportsmanship in the Berlin 800m heats when she ran to winning entry this year was submitted by Antonio Sanchez Pato the assistance of Belgium’s Renee Eykens who fell in the home and Emanuele Isidori and was entitled: 'An Innovative European straight. Sports Tutorship Model Of The Dual Career Of Students.' Five Outstanding coaches were recognised again at the Golden universities across Europe took part in this Erasmus+ project. Tracks award ceremony. The annual European Athletics The paper presented a number of conclusions and Coaching Awards came into being in 2010 and forms a key part recommendations from their research and called for a European of European Athletics’ strategy to promote coaching at all levels. model of sustainability for student-athletes across all sports.

6 | INSIDE TRACK GOLDEN TRACKS

Left Male Rising Star award winners Armand Duplantis and Jakob Ingebrigtsen; Centre Female Rising Star Elvira Herman; Right Greg Rutherford with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

PROFILE: DINA ASHER-SMITH world-lead of 10.85 in the 100m before winning the 200m in an outright world-lead of 21.89. Both were Age: 23 Born: Orpington, London British records and she concluded by anchoring the Coach: John Blackie British relay team to victory in another world-lead of Season highlights 41.88, just shy of the national record. Dina Asher-Smith concluded a whistlestop indoor Asher-Smith carried her form through right season by equalling her 60m PB with 7.08 in until the end of the season, finishing second over Glasgow before winning bronze in the 200m at the 100m in both the final and IAAF Commonwealth Games in 22.29, running Jamaica's Continental Cup. double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson out of What’s next? the medals. Asher-Smith is planning to contest both the 100m But Asher-Smith’s main focus was on the and 200m at the IAAF World Championships in European summer campaign and the Briton was , the first time she will contest both individual particularly prolific over 100m, breaking the 11 events in a global championships. second-barrier three times in the build-up to Berlin: Did you know? 10.92 in Oslo, 10.93 in and 10.97 at the Asher-Smith won her first major senior medal British Championships. aged 17 when she ran the first leg of Great Britain’s Faster times and more records beckoned in the bronze medal-winning relay team at the 2013 IAAF German capital as Asher-Smith first equalled the World Championships in .

PROFILE: KEVIN MAYER Just over a month later, Mayer produced a career-defining showing on home soil in Talence, Age: 26 Born: , where he smashed ’s world record Coach: Bertrand Valcin with 9126 points, the first athlete in history to Season highlights surpass the 9100 point-barrier. He set four lifetime Kevin Mayer missed out on the European decathlon bests along the way – including 7.80m in the long title but the Frenchman did come away with a gold jump and 71.90m in the javelin – to break Eaton’s medal from the IAAF World Indoor Championships world record by 81 points. in Birmingham where he won the heptathlon title by What’s next? five points from Canada’s Damian Warner. Mayer is planning a low-key indoor season to This was his third major title in a row and a prepare fully for the outdoor campaign which fourth would surely beckon in the decathlon in culminates at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin. Mayer broke a gamut of lifetime bests in the Doha where he will defend his decathlon title. build-up – including particularly impressive marks of Did you know? 13.71 in the 110m hurdles and 16.51m in the shot Mayer scored 4563 points on both the first day and put – but his title aspirations went awry after three second day in Talence where he broke the world narrow fouls in the long jump. decathlon record with 9126 points.

INSIDE TRACK | 7 CONVENTION 2018

CONVENTION IN OPTIMISTIC MOOD Record numbers gathered in Lausanne for encouragement, learning and networking.

There was a mood of optimism and celebration as But the focal point of the year was the Berlin 2018 the European Athletics Family convened in Lausanne, European Athletics Championships which formed part Switzerland for the European Athletics Convention 2018 of the inaugural multi-sport European Championships and these themes were reflected in President Svein programme with co-hosts Glasgow. Arne Hansen’s speech during the official opening. “The success of Berlin was a confirmation of the “This is the fourth time I have opened the Convention value of another innovation – the brave decision to with a celebration of the season just passed. This time, bring our championships together with those of six however, I can say that we are surely looking back on other sports taking place in Glasgow for the multi-sport what must be the greatest year in European Athletics’ European Championships. history. “In the past, I have spoken about my ambition for “It has been a year in which the world saw our sport athletics to be in every home and on every phone in at its very best. And, if that was not enough, 2018 was Europe. Now, on the back of our success in Berlin, I when all of us could finally start to see the positive have the feeling we are really moving in that direction. impact of the changes many of you here have worked It is realistic to think it can become a reality.” so hard to implement over the last three years,” he On a more cautionary note, Hansen warned the said. sport could not afford to rest on its laurels and called Hansen cited achievements both on the track and on all interested parties to continue to work hard to away from it as reasons to reflect on the season with consolidate and build upon these recent successes. satisfaction, describing the European 10,000m Cup in “For all that we have accomplished together, we have London as the most successful to date and speaking brought the sport to a critical moment. It would be highly of the European Athletics U18 Championships natural to feel confident, maybe comfortable, but this is Top President Svein in Gyor. He said that the CEO Conference in Minsk was the time where there is a real danger of complacency. Arne Hansen opens the “best ever” and he was also proud of the mandatory “I am reminded of a saying: nothing fails like success. the Convention at the SwissTech Convention U18 rollout of the flagship ‘I Run Clean’ anti-doping The fact is, we need to be aware that we are at a place Center in Lausanne. education programme. where it is essential to stay focused on the future,

8 | INSIDE TRACK CONVENTION 2018

to keep moving forward, to keep changing, to keep developing mass participation events nationally and innovating,” he said. how running is a fundamental part of their respective With this in mind, a key theme throughout this year’s domestic agendas. Convention was innovation in the build-up to another Another important takeaway from the Convention important season which will see a number of new for delegates was Frank Kowalski’s presentation on the projects and events come to fruition, including DNA importance of digital strategy and fan engagement, which forms part of the European Games programme drawing on his recent experience as CEO of the Berlin in Minsk. 2018 European Athletics Championships. The DNA workshop was one of the most heavily IAAF President Sebastian Coe was in attendance subscribed events of the Convention. The three-hour throughout the event and he took part in a joint session outlined the strategy behind the event as question-and-answer session with President Hansen. well as addressing logistical and technical specifics A whole gamut of topics were addressed, including for team leaders. It was opened by President Hansen doping, the future of the commercial circuit and the and concluded with a panel discussion featuring long multi-sport European Championships. jumper Greg Rutherford. This year’s Convention attracted an unprecedented On the topic of change, the Convention also number of delegates from Member Federations and included a workshop on prospective revisions to the relevant stakeholders, all keen to make the most of the athletics calendar and the qualifying process for major programme on offer. In between sessions it provided championships, generating a robust and lively debate an excellent opportunity for delegates to build their from the floor. It was opened by Council Member networks and to socialise. Toralf Nilsson with Periklis Iakovakis and Lea Sprunger “When we first talked about the concept we were providing an athlete's perspective in the discussion. expecting 15 or 20 to sign up for each workshop,” Expanding on recent successes, a workshop commented Hansen. “We even discussed if we should dedicated to running focused on European Athletics’ cancel one of them if there were less than 10 people Left Berlin 2018 CEO strategy in the domain such as the future of Running interested. I am told that all the workshops were Frank Kowalski expounds for All and updates on the second edition of the oversubscribed and in the case of the Calendar and on a successful digital European Running Business Conference in Ranking System workshop we had more than 100 event strategy. Below Olga Aksyonova next September. Denmark’s Jakob Larsen, Belarus’ participants. I guess we really did not need to worry!” engages at a Member Aliaksandr But-Husaim and Norway’s Kjetil Hildeskor The 2019 European Athletics Convention will take Federation Support spoke about the importance of being proactive in place in Tbilisi, Georgia from 17-19 October. workshop.

INSIDE TRACK | 9 BERLIN 2018

LOOKING BACK AT BERLIN Berlin staged a magnificent and memorable championships as part of a hugely successful multi-sport event that provides a blueprint for the future.

The Berlin 2018 European Athletics "Thank you to European Athletics for between eight and 12 hours live coverage Championships – part of the inaugural going with us on the venture. It is not only for a new event [the overall European multi-sport European Championships – these Championships, it is embedded Championships]. had barely concluded before the plaudits in a big new concept [the European "As you would say in poker, we went started to arrive. Championships encompassed seven all in. When we see what Berlin did, what Stefan Kuerten, Director of European sports, with six being staged by co-host European Athletics did, what Glasgow did, Broadcasting Union (EBU) Sport, a Glasgow] and this is something that was, it was beyond our expectations. European Athletics International Partner, for us, the first edition. "The viewing figures [for the European was ebullient in his praise. "We brought in the best journalists Athletics Championships] have been "Thank you to the city of Berlin, you we had, the best host broadcasters and incredible in Germany, and in Norway, have done excellent work," he commented services. On top of that, we brought 40 where the reach was 80 per cent. We immediately after Berlin 2018 had come to EBU member organisations with us who have had a 50 per cent reach in the Czech an end. "It has been fantastic. cleared their schedules and went for Republic, and between 30 to 40 per cent

10 | INSIDE TRACK OFFICIAL NEWS

in Switzerland. The whole concept flies,” reflected an athletics-loving country. Kuerten enthusiastically. No fewer than 6.3 million viewers tuned in on the As further information about TV viewing figures penultimate day, Saturday 11 August, to witness has become available, Kuerten revealed at the golds going to high jumper Mateusz Przybylko and ‘Sports Ministers’ Conference’ in the German town long jumper Malaika Mihambo. of Sankt Wendel in early November that the overall On the following day, the last day of Berlin 2018, viewing figures for the European Championships athletics notably held its own against football in the compared favourably with the 2018 Winter Olympics battle for German audiences: 5.44 million people earlier in the year. watched Bayern ’s 5-0 victory over Eintracht “Overall, 265 million 'unique recipients' were in the DFL-Supercup Final on one channel reached, a level that was almost Olympic in format,” while, at the same time, 5.16 million watched local said Kuerten, adding that athletics was the most- heroine Gesa Felicitas Krause defend her European watched sport during the European Championships. 3000m steeplechase title on another channel, ARD. The 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games saw The viewing figures alone proved the value of an an estimated 350 million unique recipients. innovative and dynamic timetable, but that Saturday evening session was also watched by a capacity GERMANY HITS THE HIGH NUMBERS crowd of 60,500 in the historic and famous Olympic Opposite 's Justyna Naturally, as the German capital was the host city Stadium. Swiety-Ersetic crosses the for the European Athletics Championship, the best “The timetable was a big change. Individual line to win gold in the figures for athletics coverage were on German sessions of only two hours of athletics, only finals. women's 4 x 400m Relay, television. In my opinion, we do not need any change [of of Belgium Two statistics released by the EBU tell part of the the fundamental aspects] of athletics. We need winner of the women's story of Berlin 2018’s impact. to have professional presentation, very compact heptathlon, Sweden's ARD – the German host broadcaster – saw TV time schedules combined with the emotions of Armand Duplantis shattered the championship pole vault audience numbers for Tuesday’s first main session the athletes, and then we have a perfect moment record. Top Runners in the of athletics jump 47% on 2016, a of athletics during the evening,” commented women's relay prepare to significant increase even taking the home nation Frank Kowalski, CEO Berlin 2018 European receive the baton in a sold factor into account because Germany is known as Championships. out stadium.

INSIDE TRACK | 11 BERLIN 2018

He added: “We had a total of 360,000 shortened by approximately six hours Aleksander Dzembritski gave the view of spectators at the stadium, and the from recent previous European Athletics the local public authorities. European Mile has drawn around 150,000. Championships, primarily by staging most "We are very, very satisfied with these This means we activated more than of medal ceremonies at the European Mile European Championships. Wherever I've 500,000 people for our sport. This was in the centre of the city at Breitscheidplatz been, whether it was the arena at the beyond our expectations, but it is not an as opposed to the traditional venue of the Breitscheidplatz, or it was the Olympic accident. There was a really strong concept main stadium. Stadium, or at the concert that was held on behind it when we went into the bidding This was achieved without any Tuesday, there were fantastic emotions,” in 2013.” disciplines being shortened, changed or eulogised Dzembritski. eliminated. The city’s support had been vital for SHORTER SESSIONS, STAKEHOLDERS An athlete-focused communications a successful Championships, not least SERVICED strategy had been activated across with their assistance with the out-of- In fact, each evening session was held multiple platforms over the previous stadia and race walking events over just two or three hours and featuring two years to greatly increase the level of in the centre and the European Mile in multiple finals to ensure maximum awareness not only of the Berlin 2018 Breitscheidplatz. An emotional Dzembritski engagement from athletics fans and the European Athletics Championships but was proud of their achievements. public in general. also the whole European Championships. "I am very, very sure that Berlin The wider European Championships Likewise, extensive cooperation with the delivered. This was a great event, it worked programme – of which Berlin 2018 was German Sports Aid Foundation and the very well. There was an emotional goodbye a key component – made it essential to German Football League as well as projects from [retiring German discus thrower] compress the Berlin evening schedules like an individual Donald Duck story with Robert Harting. We learned the word to accommodate various stakeholders the Walt Disney publishing house all ‘goosebumps’ and in the Olympic Stadium demands, but particularly those of TV, but served to achieve the main goal of making there were more and more spectators this also helped heighten the drama. Berlin 2018 unforgettable. every day. They celebrated, and it was a The evening sessions were collectively Berlin’s local state secretary for sport fantastic feeling.”

12 | INSIDE TRACK CEO CONFERENCE

PLENTIFUL PLAUDITS organise an innovative championship that The plaudits for Berlin 2018 have come not would mark an important step in the future just from stakeholders intimately involved of athletics in Europe. I think we did it and with the event. In the short time since they I am very proud of that. I think we can say came to an end, the Championships are Berlin did a good job for the city and for increasingly being seen as a model for athletics.” sporting events of the future in terms of However, the last words on Berlin 2018 organisation, sustainability, integration and should go to European Athletics President diversity. Svein Arne Hansen. Berlin 2018 has already been honoured Speaking at the European Athletics with awards such as the Prize for Fairness Convention in November, Hansen said: and Olympic Values by the Deutsche “Two years ago, I said our championships in Olympische Gesellschaft (German Olympic Amsterdam were a real game changer. We Society.) demonstrated that our sometimes-criticised "Fairness and integration: the sport of innovation of a championships in an athletics was exemplary once again, and Olympic year could succeed if we had well- that is exactly what the Olympic ideals are, coordinated cooperation between European for which the German Olympic Society is Athletics, the Member Federations, the LOC committed, and we hope that this example and all the other stakeholders. will make a name for itself and have the “But I think we all know now that Berlin Opposite Koen Naert widest possible impact on society,” said took us to another level. Everyone who wins marathon gold in Richard Meng, President of the DOG Berlin was there will remember a beautiful week. front of a huge number Chapter, when making the award to Frank The atmosphere in the stadium and at the of fans gathered on the Kowalski and four-time European long jump Breitscheidplatz each night was amazing. European Mile at the champion Heike Drechsler in September. Most importantly, they will remember that Breitscheidplatz. Top 's Sandra Perkovic Dr Clemens Prokop, President of the the athletes were wonderful. celebrates women's discus Organising Committee for Berlin 2018, “Together with our television and new gold with Championships summarised the success of this summer’s media audiences, we experienced the mascot Berlino and Jakob European Athletics Championships. quality of what European Athletics can Ingebrigtsen laps up the cheers for winning gold in “When we bid for these Championships deliver though our core business of elite the 5000m ahead of brother five years ago, we announced we would athletics and major events.” Henrik.

INSIDE TRACK | 13 YOUNG LEADERS FORUM

@EAYoungLeaders Jochen Schweitzer joined #YLF in 2006, now he's Vice-Pres of @dlv_online.

@EAYoungLeaders to see the Young Leaders Forum look at our pictures! facebook.com/pg/ AthleticsCommunity

@EAYoungLeaders #YLF2018 has started! Enjoy this journey and remember that this is #TheMoment

GENDER EQUITY TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT YOUNG LEADERS FORUM Encouraging women to take up home. This year’s participants took part in representation.” leadership roles in sport was a key topic plenary and breakout sessions on topics Coe’s visit finished with a lively Q&A of discussion at the European Athletics ranging from anti-doping and gender with the Young Leaders who asked Young Leaders Forum which took place equity to personal development and questions ranging from how to keep on the sidelines of the Berlin 2018 youth advocacy. athletics relevant in a changing world to European Athletics Championships. A special guest speaker, IAAF President what impact the youth voice can have European Athletics Vice President Jean Sebastian Coe talked about his life in on major sporting events such as the Gracia raised the subject in his welcome sport giving advice for athletes adapting European Championships. address, telling the participants: “I am to careers after sport and the need for Organised by young leaders very pleased to see a room full of Young gender balance, an issue he said he takes themselves, the forum was designed Leaders, and I am also very happy to very seriously. to maximise sharing and emphasise see that the gender balance has been “When I became IAAF President,” he collaboration. Daily team challenges were respected. In fact, it has gone beyond said, “I realised that, although we are included in the agenda to keep things what we expected.” 50-50 on the field of play, we have equal lively and fun with segments on project Of the 68 participants at this year’s prize money for our athletes … there management, leadership and well-being, forum, 39 were women. Forty-four was only one woman who was head of a as well as networking. countries in total were represented. federation. I am pleased to report that we The Young Leaders’ mission is to “Gender equity is a very important now have three or four on top of that in promote volunteer work and projects topic for us,” Gracia continued. “We have the past year or two.” in athletics in order to help members included it in the IAAF and European “[This led me to push] some develop themselves and make valuable Athletics constitutions and we are fundamental changes to the IAAF contributions to sport and their local pushing our Member Federations to do constitution. It is now enshrined in our communities. The community is driven by the same. On the field of play in athletics constitution that 28 or 29 per cent of all its members with support from European we have parity. But in leadership we have our governances will have to have female Athletics, UNESCO and the Member a lot of progress still to make.” representation by 2019. Federations of European Athletics. The four-day forum was aimed at "In 2023, that number will go to over 40 The aim is to use modern giving active young professionals from per cent. And in 2027, every governance communications and social media tools European Athletics Member Federations structure within the IAAF will be 50-50. to encourage volunteering and grassroots a chance to network, develop work and That means it will be constitutionally projects that promote athletics and help life skills, and apply best practices in illegal to have any governance structure to prepare the sport’s next generation of their own communities upon returning within the IAAF that doesn’t have equal leaders.

14 | INSIDE TRACK WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP

SEMINAR ATTRACTS ATTENDEES FROM 33 COUNTRIES Some 42 participants from 33 countries European Athletics Vice President Jean The seminar took place in the context gathered in in June for the Gracia who spoke about the efforts being of European Athletics’ ongoing efforts to European Athletics Women’s Leadership made by European Athletics in the area reach gender equity and to implement Seminar, a follow-up to the highly of gender equity. This was followed by a the constitutional changes agreed during successful Women in robust programme of talks and seminars the 2017 European Athletics Congress Seminars held annually between 2013 and from women in prominent leadership in Vilnius, bringing European 2017, which reached out to 120 women positions in sport as well as academics Athletics into line with changes made to from nearly 60 countries. specialising in leadership studies. the IAAF constitution. The seminar served the purpose of Prominent speakers during the three- The path to gender equity can be seen supporting and empowering women day seminar included IAAF Women’s at grassroots level. Of the 68 participants moving through leadership positions in the Committee chairperson Esther Fittko, attending the European Athletics Young sport and offering a chance to share ideas, former Vice President of the German Leaders Forum held in Berlin, 39 of them network with fellow professionals and Athletics Federation, Dagmar Freitag, were women. Past attendees have used broaden their knowledge. IAAF Council Member Sylvia Barlag the Young Leaders Forum as a platform The three-day programme took place and European Athletics Young Leaders to forge careers at leadership level within at the EOC EU Office and was opened by Community member Katrin Heyers. athletics. IAAF WOMEN’S COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON ESTHER FITTKO ON THE YOUNG LEADERS FORUM female participants but also the entire Even if the young generation does not atmosphere. These young people are full think about it at the moment, we have to of fantastic ideas on why people should create fair conditions and motivate and get involved in athletics and how to do encourage young women to remain in it. In doing so, they make no difference our sport. At the same time, a cultural between genders and stand completely change must be further promoted which for equal rights. is a prerequisite for gender equity. The However, we know that unfortunately current generation of leaders must the dropout rate among women in our create the conditions where gender During my visit to the Young Leaders society is higher than in men – both equity will be self-evident in the near Forum in Berlin, I was not only in practical sports and even more in future so young people do not have to impressed by the high number of leadership positions. overcome high barriers.

INSIDE TRACK | 15 FOCUS FEDERATION

MEDICAL SEMINAR HELD ALONGSIDE EURO CHAMPS Member Federations from 34 countries sent more than 70 delegates to the second European Athletics Medical Seminar which was held on the sidelines of the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships. The focus of the afternoon and evening was the perennial problem of hamstring injuries. Expert Dr Gustaaf Reurink of the Department LATVIA BECOMES THIRD TO of Orthopaedics, Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam outlined the latest evidence-based medicine COMPLETE FOCUS FEDERATION and state of the art to make some Latvian federation latest to benefit from intensive clinical recommendations. The most thorny question was programme of sharing with Lausanne staff. how to predict the time required Athletics Member a delegation from the Latvia Athletic before a return to sport can be The third European Federation completed the ongoing Focus Association (LAA) participated in a made, but he also advised on Federation Programme by presenting robust programme of presentations and the rehabilitation, treatment and to the European Athletics Council in workshops in which they learned of the effective management of a return , at the start of latest developments in DNA (Dynamic to training as well as primary and November. New Athletics), I Run Clean, the European secondary prevention. The Focus Federation Programme Athletics Data Project, the European His presentation was came into being in April 2017 as a Athletics competition structure along supplemented by a workshop with vehicle to enhance communication with a briefing on European Athletics practical rehabilitation excersises and transparency between Member communications. given by Jurdan Mendiguchia Federations and European Athletics, thus The LAA also used the visit to carry out from the Department of Physical bringing the entire organisation into preparatory work ahead of the European Therapy, Zentrum Rehab and closer alignment. Athletics Council meeting where Performance Center, Barañain, The Focus Federation Programme is members of the delegation made their Spain. aimed at Member Federations who do not presentation as part of the second stage After the seminar delegates have any representation on the European of the programme. took to social media to express Athletics Council and two Member They provided the Council with their enthusiasm for the quality Federations are invited to participate highlights of the nation’s greatest of the session dedicated to the each year as part of the programme. athletics accomplishments, an overview importance of sprint mechanics for Belarus was the first Member of the staffing and structure of the injury prevention. Federation to complete the programme federation and details of its activities, Some claimed they would have in autumn 2017 followed by Lithuania in including its objectives for 2016-2020 to forget everything they had the first half of this year. It was then the They also set out their aspirations to learned to date about hamstring turn of their Baltic neighbours Latvia to host future European Athletics events injury diagnostic, treatment and participate in the programme. in Riga as well as their development rehabilitation, in the face of the The Focus Federation Programme priorities for the future such as focusing latest evidence for hamstring injury began with a visit to the House of on kids and youth and building the sport prevention. European Athletics in Lausanne in which of athletics in Latvia from the ground up.

16 | INSIDE TRACK COACHING CLUB AND SUMMIT SERIES

2018 European silver medallist Andreas Hofmann from Germany addresses the World Javelin Conference in Kuortane, . COACH PARTY European Athletics Coaches Club, the Coaching Summit Series and forthcoming International Festival of Athletics Coaching have been a boon for the sport.

Recent months have seen a wealth of Conference in Kuortane, Finland and the The summits bring together top athletes, opportunities for coaches to receive some Discus and Hammer Conference in Växjö, leading coaches and sport scientists at coaching and development of their own. Sweden all in mid-November followed by venues where there is expertise or a The first European Athletics Coaches the Endurance, Middle & Long Distance strong tradition in a specific discipline. Club opened its doors during the Berlin Summit in Skanderborg, Denmark. The The format for each summit comprises 2018 European Athletics Championships series will come to a sprint finish in presentations, practical demonstrations, with series of seminars and lectures. January in Loughborough, Great Britain small group workshops, round table Participation was free and open to any with the International Festival of Athletics discussions and plenty of opportunities coach in Berlin with seminars and lectures Coaching from 4-6 January. for the participants to discuss all aspects scheduled to fall between sessions at the Coaches play a central role in the of their event with colleagues and stars championships. Sessions included a look development of athletes at all levels and from around the world. at the new DNA format but there were it is important for the sport to provide European Athletics works closely with also special interest seminars on coaching support that ensures they are well trained and provides financial support to the high performers, the strength of female and qualified, up to date with the latest independent organisers of the summits, coaches and trends in sport science and practices and information, and properly assuring participants a quality learning technology. motivated. experience. Scholarships worth up to Speakers included President Svein The management of coaches in CHF 800 are available to help Member Arne Hansen, Vice President Jean Gracia athletics is the responsibility of Member Federations send coaches to the summits. and other European Athletics Council Federations but European Athletics Scholarships can be put towards the Members. They were supported by provides support through the promotion travel and accommodation costs of keynote speaker Frank Dick, founder of the IAAF’s Coaches Education and participation in any of the conferences of the Female Coaching Network Vicky Certification System in Europe, the in the Coaching Summit Series and the Huyton and many specialists and experts. Coaching Summit Series and the annual European Athletics Coaches Association The event was a great warm up for European Athletics Coaching Awards to Festival of Athletics Coaching. the series of meetings which followed recognise excellence in this field. More information is available from with field events in focus at the Pole European Athletics launched its Marc Sintes, Senior Member Federations Vault and Symposium in Coaching Summit Series in 2008 and the Development Coordinator Cologne, Germany, the 5th World Javelin programme has been running ever since. [email protected]

INSIDEINSIDE TRACKTRACK || 1717 EUROPEAN WEEK OF SPORT

RUNNING AROUND EUROPE Huge numbers take part in running events during the European Week of Sport.

For the fourth successive year, European Athletics was a proud and on social fairness,” said Navracsics, who attended the Opening committed partner of the European Week of Sport (EWOS) from Ceremony in Vienna. 23-30 September which encouraged everyone across the continent European Week of Sport has taken place each year since 2015 – regardless of age, background and fitness level– to #BeActive. and has had a profound impact on the health and well-being A record total of 213 running events, over 30 more than in 2017, of citizens across Europe. A wide cross-section of sports staged were held across 32 countries, reaching an estimated 230,000 events in conjunction with the European Week of Sport. An people across the continent of Europe. was estimated 12 million people took part across 34,000 events during particularly proactive with 45 registered events held in the context the 2017 European Week of Sport and the organisers are hopeful of the European Week of Sport. that this figure will be surpassed in 2018. The Opening Ceremony this year took place in the Austrian The Czech Republic was especially proactive in organising events capital city of Vienna on 22 September which coincided with the endorsing the #BeActive message throughout the country to go country’s annual Day of Sport. Many of Austria’s top athletics stars alongside the popular year-round RunCzech Series which gained were on hand to sign autographs, including distance runners certification from European Athletics Running for All in 2018. Andreas Vojta, Valentin Pfeil and Christian Steinhammer, sprinter Running for All certification provides runners of all abilities with Markus Fuchs, and multi-events exponents Ivona Dadic, Sarah the assurance that races are organised to a verifiable standard of Lagger and Dominik Distelberger. safety, security and services. As well as promoting physical activity, European Commissioner European Athletics promotes and administers the standards and for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics also certification system of Running For All with its own recognisable pointed to the role of sport – and the European Week of Sport – brand, to create a welcoming, inclusive and informative community in being a force for good in improving mental health as well as for runners and organisers alike. physical health. The programme at the Danske Bank Vilnius Marathon “Encouraging more people to be active is therefore important. It incorporated the #BeActive Children's Run (pictured above) can help us tackle loneliness, a growing concern in our society. The and the #BeActive Night Run. There was also a #BeActive Night European Commission’s in-house science and knowledge service, Race in Larnaka, Cyprus, elicited an excellent response among the Joint Research Centre, is analysing this topic as part of its work participants.

18 | INSIDE TRACK STATE OF OUR SPORT

STRATEGIC THINKING AND SECURITY FOR THE FUTURE

European Athletics CEO Christian Milz looks back on six months spent ensuring the continental governing body’s future is more secure.

I could wax lyrical on what wonderful organisers of major events and all other deliver a return on investment for them events both the Berlin 2018 European stakeholders – focused on the goals for our too, in terms of increased audiences. Athletics Championships and the multi- sport. To quickly cover some of our other sport European Championships were, but This new contract finances most of behind-the-scenes activities in a very most of you already know yourselves how European Athletics’ fixed costs until 2027 limited amount of space: there has been successful they were, and coverage is also so it can be said that our medium-term the ongoing SWOT analysis of our events given to them elsewhere in this issue of future has been secured, although we must and development activities, development Inside Track. still guard against complacency, as the ‘last of our Digital Strategy that ensures GDPR Instead I would like to focus of an mile’ in covering the rest of our costs comes compliancy and further improvements important event that occurred behind- from marketing revenues which are the in good governance and gender balance the-scenes in Berlin, one which will have toughest to get. ahead of the 2019 Congress in Prague next a profound and positive effect on the Nonetheless, it allows us to think April. immediate future of our sport in Europe. strategically about the development of Although the year has not yet come to in Berlin, we signed a new eight- our sport in Europe and put aside thinking an end as I write this, I can confidently say year contract with our long-standing about the next contract renewal for the 2018 should be seen as a very successful International Partner, the European moment. year for European Athletics. Broadcasting Union, covering the period For the first time, our contract with the Christian Milz, CEO of European Athletics from 2020 to 2027 inclusive. The agreement EBU will allow us to distribute reserved (covered more fully on p25) provides us rights content to stakeholders such as with an improved deal from previous Member Federations, sponsors, media contracts and strong incentives to continue partners, and to the athletes themselves, as part of the multi-sport European many of whom are becoming ever more Championships. social media-savvy. The EBU has been a partner of European We realise that the social and digital Athletics since 1981 and it is gratifying media footprints of these stakeholders are that they wanted to continue and extend crucial if we want to promote our sport and their relationship with us because such a particularly support its appearance on free- long-term rights agreement is far from the to-air television – of which many channels norm. are the EBU’s own partners – and we need Obviously, our relationship has a the content to do this. commercial aspect to it, but I think it Consequently, a digital steering group reinforces what European Athletics has comprising our own communications team, been saying in recent years, that athletics EBU staff, and external experts will guide on television continues to be a very vibrant us in this process of digital transformation product. The contract also reflects the in the coming years. We are very fact that European Athletics is continually thankful to be working with EBU looking to improve this product with a in this way, and we believe it will view to athletics remaining relevant and engaging across the range of our varied audiences. The words in the last couple of sentences may seem like they have been repeated before, but I think it’s important to keep everybody – European Athletics, Member Federations, International Partners, local COMMISSIONS

COMMISSION MEETINGS REPORT All four of the European Athletics Commissions held their regular such as the Council of Europe, European Commission and the meetings in the autumn continuing the important work of driving EOC-EU Office. forward the agenda for change on behalf of President Svein Arne In addition to these political bodies, the group also considered Hansen and the European Athletics Council. European Athletics’ relationships with various athletics organisations such as the European Masters Athletics, European MEMBER FEDERATION DEVELOPMENT Athletics Coaching Association, International Association of The Member Federation Development Commission (above), Ultrarunners (IAU), World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) chaired by European Athletics Vice President Jean Gracia, held and the Association of International and Distance its biannual meeting in Vienna, Austria towards the end of Races (AIMS). September Key topics during the wide-ranging three-day session included EVENT AND COMPETITION the European Athletics educational programme and strategy The Event and Competition Commission (below), chaired by including the 2019 Education Plan, gender equality issues within European Athletics Council and Executive Board Member Toralf the sport in Europe, sustainability, Member Federations and clubs’ Nilsson, held its biannual meeting from 28-30 September at the governance. The members also discussed European Athletics’ European Athletics Head Office in Lausanne. running strategy which includes Running For All, the Global The meeting was an opportunity for an extensive review Running Day, the European Week of Sport and the 2019 European of the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships from a Running Business Conference which will be held in Prague in competition and technical perspective, especially the competition September. format, qualification criteria and rules for the sprint events. Other topics on what was a very full agenda included the Among the other topics on the agenda, the qualification ways in which European Athletics and its Member Federations principles for the Paris 2020 European Athletics Championships communicate and interact with IAAF Development, it also touched were discussed. Qualification standards and conditions for the on IAAF governance and relations with external European bodies 2019 European Athletics U23 and U20 Championships, being held in the Swedish cities of Gavle and Boras respectively, were considered as well. Applications for the 2019 one-day outdoor permit meetings were reviewed along with the regulations for promotion and relegation following the 2019 European Athletics Team Championships, with a view to a new format of league structure to be implemented in 2021. Also considered was a feasibility study for the integration of a European Athletics Trail Running Championships into the European Athletics event portfolio. The concept of a European Athletics course and exam for Video Distance Measurement (VDM)/Photo Finish judges and International Starters was another area of discussion. The different topics will now go for approval to the Executive Board and/or the Council, where relevant.

20 | INSIDE TRACK COMMISSIONS

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Communication with Member Federations, the athletics world and the general public has been a vital component of the agenda for change driven by President Svein Arne Hansen. To carry on this work, the Strategic Communications Commission met for the seventh and final time in the 2015-2019 period in Pravets, Bulgaria in November. Chairman Dobromir Karamarinov, First Vice President of European Athletics, led the group which comprised Olga Aksyonova, Ieva Blusina, Nikolin Dionisi, Robert Emmiyan, Marton Gyulai, Ieva Staponkute, Salih Münir Yaras, James Mulligan and Bill Glad. The Commission's agenda included the Latvian Athletic Association Focus Federation Project presented at the European Athletics Council Meeting in Budapest and the brand concept for the Europe vs USA match due to be held in Minsk in September 2019. Also on the agenda was the ongoing DNA project, European Athletics’ Digital Transformation, the European Relays project, a potential Ambassadors Programme, and 'I Run Clean'.

MEDICAL AND ANTI-DOPING European Athletics Medical and Anti-Doping Commission met in Paris in November under the chairmanship of Pedro Branco. Among the items on the agenda was a report on ‘I Run Clean’, a review of medical and anti-doping facilities at European Athletics events as well as an examination of testing and lab allocation through 2019 and beyond. The meeting considered the provision of training and mentoring for Doping Control Delegates and how they are communicated with along with the appointment and integration of Medical Delegates. There was a follow up discussion of the Medical Seminar held in Berlin during the summer and a general review of medical and nutritional education together with a scientific update on long-term storage and other topics. The Medical and Anti-Doping Commission members are Ede Rutkovsky of European Athletics Staff, Benjamin Cohen, Fédéric Depiesse, Richard Driscoll, Jan Engstrom, Peter Hemmersback and Tiia Kuuranne.

ATHLETES COMMITTEE Six athletes representing six countries were elected by their peers to the European Athletics Athletes Committee during the Berlin 2018 European Athletics Championships. Joining the 2018-2022 Committee are long jumper Ivana Spanovic (SRB), sprinter Ivet Lalova-Collio (BUL), and middle- distance runner Hannah (GBR). On the men’s side, middle-distance runner Marcin Lewandowski (POL) received the most votes and he will be joined by decathlete Janis Leitis (LAT), and sprinter Angel David Rodriguez (ESP). The six elected members sit alongside two appointed members, one woman and one man. Greece's Periklis Iakovakis and Sweden’s Emma Green were appointed to the Committee by President Svein Arne Hansen The new Athletes Committee held its first meeting in November and unanimously elected Periklis Iakovakis as its chair.

INSIDE TRACK | 21 COUNCIL NEWS

Greece's Periklis Iakovakis unanimously approved as Chair of the Athlete's Committee.

REPORT OF THE 152ND COUNCIL MEETING IN BUDAPEST Council approves Athletes Committee chair and changes to championships structure.

IAKOVAKIS APPROVED AS CHAIR OF THE of concern to elite athletes. The first At their Budapest meeting, members ATHLETES COMMITTEE meeting of the new Committee took place of the Council confirmed that a women’s The final composition of the European in Lausanne on 8 November. 50km race walk will be added to the Athletics Athletes Committee which will European Race Walking Cup programme serve until July 2022 was approved at the CHANGES TO TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS in Alytus, Lithuania in June next year for European Athletics Council Meeting in STRUCTURE APPROVED BY COUNCIL the first time and Member Federations will Budapest, Hungary from 2-4 November. Changes to the structure of the European be able to enter eight athletes, instead of Greece’s Periklis Iakovakis was Athletics Team Championships were six, in each relay at the European Athletics unanimously approved as Chair of the approved by the Council streamlining the U18, U20 and U23 Championships, Committee and will also take his place Super League from twelve to eight teams reflecting the changes implemented on the European Athletics Council. “It is a in 2021. for the Berlin 2018 European Athletics great honour and responsibility to be Chair These changes will have important Championships. of European Athletics Athletes Committee ramifications on promotion and relegation The Council approved the entry for one more term. I will do my best to across all leagues at the 2019 European standards for the Boras 2019 European secure the future of the sport that we Athletics Team Championships. The Athletics U20 Championships and the love!” said Iakovakis on social media. lowest five ranked teams from the Super Gavle 2019 European Athletics U23 Sweden’s Emma Green was also League in Bydgoszcz will be relegated to Championships and also approved the appointed to the Committee by President the First League. Only the winning team proposed one-day meeting outdoor circuit Svein Arne Hansen while the six remaining from the First League in Sandnes will gain calendar (Race Walking, Premium, Classic, athletes – , Ivet Lalova- promotion into the Super League in 2021. Special Premium and Area events) in 2019 Collio, Janis Leitis, Marcin Lewandowski, The change will be carried through to as well as the calendar of major events Angel David Rodriguez and Ivana Spanovic the other leagues. The five lowest ranked from 2019-22. – were elected by their peers at the Berlin teams in the First League will be relegated Entry standards for the European U20 2018 European Athletics Championships. to the Second League and only the winning and U23 Championships can be found The Athletes Committee is made up team from the Second League will be on the relevant competition pages on the of eight members – four men and four promoted to the First League in 2021. European Athletics website. The 2019-22 women with two members appointed The five lowest ranked teams in the European Athletics calendar can be found by the President – and meets twice each Second League in Varazdin will also be at www.european-athletics.org/calendar. year. The main purpose of the committee relegated to the Third League and only As well as the awarding of major events is to act as the voice of elite athletes in the winning team from the Third League in 2020 and 2021, it was also confirmed Europe by addressing, discussing and will be promoted to the Second League in the European Athletics Convention in 2020 making recommendations on all matters 2021. will be held in .

22 | INSIDE TRACK ATHTECH18

ATHLETICS DATA CONFERENCE 3rd annual conference brought together leading technology experts in the sport over two days in the Spanish city of Gijon.

Gijon in Northern Spain was the venue for AthTech18, the third Spanish athletics federation Director of Competition, Anacleto annual Athletics Data Conference which gathered together some Jimenez, a former European indoor 3000m gold medallist then of the leading technology experts in the sport over two days. gave a federation perspective, demonstrating the approach of A wide variety of topics were covered but the three most crucial one of the largest European Athletics Member Federations to areas were: open standards and standardisation in formatting service and competition management. of athletics data; the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The conference was also a forum for commercial companies and competition management. who not only showed and marketed their products but also took Supported by European Athletics, the two organisers of the part in the discussion about data standardisation and facilities conference Martin Alvarez-Espinar of local Technology Centre documentation. CTIC/W3C Spain and Andy Robinson of British athletics data Several companies demonstrated their timing systems and company OpenTrack, looked at data standards within the sport other innovations at the AthTech Run, a mixed gender and and data sharing, providing proposals and suggestions for multi-age group road relay, held on the first evening over 10 laps European-wide standardisation initiatives. (10x975m) of the nearby El Kilometrin alongside the Rio Piles in “By having standards, and making it mostly open data, we the city. open the door to anyone, to do anything with the data, in real The conference was concluded by presentations on how time,” said Robinson, explaining the rationale for moving towards organisations can work with the media to get the most out of standardisation. their data by the well-known athletics writer and commentator “We speak a lot about a digital future but there is still no central Phil Minshull and the renowned statistician Mirko Jalava, who data platform,” he added. “And some major athletics federations heads European Athletics statistics partner Tilastopaja. are still doing their rankings by hand.” “I see this conference shaping the way we bring new elements Legal counsel David Brunsdon, Head of Compliance at First and new technology into athletics as well as helping Member Rate Exchange Services, took the delegates – from 18 different Federations develop their own initiatives,” said European Athletics countries including representatives of 13 European Athletics Technology Manager Nicolas Launois. Member Federations – through the implications of GDPR for Adding a global perspective and providing an overview of the athletics. IAAF Digital Strategy was the IAAF Chief Information Officer, An “GDPR was not designed for sport primarily," he explained, "It Dang Duy, who commented as part of his keynote address on the could have serious implications and we have to be aware of what opening morning: “This is a unique event, European Athletics are those are,” reflected Brunsdon. the only Area Association hosting such a conference; there is not Robinson also looked at calendar management and the anything like it anywhere else in the world.” technology that could help standardise and harmonise athletics Duy elaborated on the IAAF Strategy to engage the sport’s calendars at an international, national and local level as well as audience, using data to propel innovative TV graphics as well as putting a cogent case for standardising facility information and core issues such as at athlete and participant data and the moves producing a global calendar. towards a Universal ID.

INSIDE TRACK | 23 NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS FUTURE EVENT HOSTS ANNOUNCED

Fingal in County , Ireland has Championships. been announced as the host of the In other event news, the Norwegian city European Cross Country Championships in of Sandnes has been confirmed as the December 2020. Dublin previously staged host of the 2019 European Athletics Team a very successful SPAR European Cross Championships First League in August Country Championships in 2009. 2019. Varazdin in Croatia will host the The venue for the 2020 European Second League and, after its successful Cross Country Championships will be staging of the 2018 European Mountain the National Sports Centre Campus in Running Championships, , FYR ONSIDE PROJECT Blanchardstown. The Athletics Ireland bid Macedonia will host the Third League. was supported by Fingal County Council, The 2019 European Champion Clubs PARTNERS MEET IN Sport Ireland and Irish state broadcaster Cup Cross Country will be staged in LAUSANNE RTE. Albufeira, in February. Albufeira Athletics Ireland President Georgina was the host of the ECCC Cross Country The House of European Athletics was Drumm and CEO Hamish Adams last year as well as in 2008 and 2014. the venue for the third full partner presented the bid in Lausanne with The 2019 European Champion Clubs meeting of ONSIDE project partners. members of the LOC and Fingal County Cup Group A will take European Athletics has been an active Council. place in Castellon, Spain on 25-26 May and partner in the project which is is co- Hamish Adams said: "We are delighted , Finland will host the 2019 ECCC funded by the European Commission to have secured the hosting of the SPAR Track and Field Group B again in May. under the Erasmus+ Collaborative European Cross Country Championships The Ukrainian city of Lutsk will host one Partnerships in Sport programme. It for 2020. We look forward to working of the most important competitions on is designed to enhance the skills of with Fingal County Council, Sport Ireland the calendar for Europe’s top multi-events sports officials across Europe. and RTE to ensure the event is a world exponents, the European Combined The meeting looked at the results class experience for both athletes and Events Team Championships Super of research into the coaching spectators." League, for the first time in July 2019, while workforce. Telephone interviews Fingal County Council Senior Executive the European Combined Events Team and an online survey of National Officer Mary Godwin added: “We look Championships First and Second League Federations generated almost 250 forward to working closely with Athletics competitions will return to Ribeira Brava, responses across 50 sports. Results Ireland and the other partners to ensure on the Portuguese island of Madeira in July were analysed under key workforce we host the best European Cross Country 2019. development themes including: Championships to date." Also in July, Zermatt will be the first recruitment, retention, skills, It was also announced that the 2021 Swiss town to stage the 2019 European education, and current challenges. European Athletics U20 Championships Mountain Running Championships. Finally Delegates also debated levels and has been awarded to the Estonian capital it was announced that, after a successful models of sport officials, led by Jan Tallinn. Tallinn was the host of the 2011 collaboration in 2018, the European Vlasblom of NOC*NSF. They agreed European Athletics U20 Championships 10,000m Cup will be staged in London a structure for the Occupational and the 2015 European Athletics U23 until 2020. Descriptor of competency standards. The next meeting of partners will be in Bucharest, Romania in March 2019 whe, they will finalise the first set of outputs. Ben Gittus, EOSE Director of Standards, said: "The partners are working well as a team to tackle this challenging skills development project. The research phase has laid a solid foundation as we move in to year 2 of the project." Julia Lee, Director at Sports Officials UK, said: "The two days have been really illuminating and it has highlighted the passion for sports officiating. The input from the partners and information gathered will be really useful to progress to the next stages of the project".

24 | INSIDE TRACK Great Britain's battled it out with Alemayehu Bezabeh of Spain at Dublin 2009 NEWS IN BRIEF

EUROPEAN ATHLETICS AND EUROPEAN BROADCASTING UNION RENEW WORLDWIDE BROADCAST RIGHTS AGREEMENT

European Athletics and the European its production subsidiary Eurovision Athletics, added: “We believe there is Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced Production Coordination, will be Host huge untapped potential on social and the long-term renewal of their worldwide Broadcaster for key events distributing a digital channels for traditional and new media rights contract extending the feed to rights-holding broadcasters over formats of athletics. We will look to partnership, which began in 1981, the Eurovision Global Network. develop these in partnership with the EBU through to the end of 2027. European Athletics President Svein in order to reach new audiences.” The agreement covers the worldwide Arne Hansen said: “Athletics is a hugely Director of European Broadcasting television and radio rights for European popular sport and it is vitally important Union (EBU) Sport, Stefan Kürten, Athletics’ major events from 2020 to 2023 for its future that it continues to be commented: “This agreement utilises the and 2024 to 2027 including the Paris 2020 showcased and promoted on free-to-air full range of EBU services and will see European Athletics Championships. television. Our long-standing and valued the EBU and European Athletics build The renewal also secures the services partnership with the EBU ensures that innovative solutions for a greater digital of Eurovision Media Services (EMS), the this will remain the case.” presence. We look forward to continuing business arm of the EBU which, through Christian Milz, CEO of European to bring athletics alive for millions of fans."

2019 EUROPEAN RUNNING BUSINESS CONFERENCE The second edition of the European The inaugural conference attracted AIMS President Paco Borao. Another Running Business Conference will be 282 participants from 48 countries from excellent roster will be assembled for held in the Czech capital of Prague from across the globe. It was a huge success Prague next September and announced 6-8 September 2019 and had a major impact on European in coming months. The European Running Business running. The feedback received by the The conference will be held alongside Conference took place for the first time organisers was also overwhelmingly the popular Birell Prague Grand Prix in Frankfurt, Germany in October 2017 positive with 99 per cent of the delegates on 7 September, one of nine RunCzech in conjunction with the annual Mainova saying that attending the conference races due to take place in 2019 and Frankfurt Marathon. had been a worthwhile and valuable one of seven to have received five-star Welcoming the announcement experience. certification from European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen said: Attendees in Frankfurt included race Running for All in 2018. "The 2017 European Running Business organisers, industry specialists, sponsors During the Conference, MYLAPS Sports Conference attracted key stakeholders and media representatives for a two- Timing will showcase timing solutions to in the running industry not just from day programme. Top speakers in 2017 enhance the event experience. Europe, but from around the world. I’m included RunCzech President Carlo Registration is now open and places sure there will be even more participants Capalbo, London Marathon CEO Nick can be reserved at https://registration. in 2019 now the word is out.” Bitel, Golazo CEO Bob Verbeeck and mylaps.com/business-conference/

INSIDE TRACK | 25 PRESIDENTIAL NEWS THROUGH EUROPE AND BEYOND

With the IAAF Council in Argentina and events and meetings throughout Europe, the past few months have been as busy as ever for President Svein Arne Hansen. 1. JULY, Buenos Aires, Argentina with IAAF President Sebastian Coe and Vice President Sergey Bubka 2. JULY, Tampere, Finland with Mike Powell at the World U20 Championships 3. AUGUST, Berlin, speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the European 1 Athletics Championships 4. SEPTEMBER, Vilnius, Lithuania for the Baltic Athletics Congress 5. SEPTEMBER, Belgrade, for the Balkan Athletics Congress 6. SEPTEMBER, Kyiv, Ukraine with Deputy Prime Minister and President of Ukraine Athletics Federation, Ihor Hotsul 7. OCTOBER, Andorra with Minister of Culture & Sport and Efrem Roca from the 2 4 athletics federation 8. NOVEMBER, Marbella, Spain with IOC President Thomas Bach and EOC President Janez Kocijancic 9. NOVEMBER, Podgorica, Montenegro celebrating 70 years since the founding of the Athletic Federation of Montenegro

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26 | INSIDE TRACK LOOKING AHEAD TO 2019

Spanish-based club Andalucia won a Dynamic New Athletics test event which was held at the Complexo Desportivo in Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal, earlier this year. MINSK TO BE ULTIMATE DNA TEST Dynamic New Athletics winning support as excitement grows.

The European Games Minsk 2019 in June At the recent 2018 European Athletics you have to do something,” he said. will mark the first international appearance Convention in Lausanne, Greg Rutherford, “Doing nothing in the sport is not an of European Athletics Dynamic New Andrew Steele and Angel David Rodriguez option, the rot has set in, we need greater Athletics (DNA), the action-packed mixed- endorsed DNA and other efforts to reach virality across social media to attract gender team event format. out to new and younger audiences. a younger audience and increase our Three years in the making, DNA has been Rutherford, an Olympic and world audience and to get to an entirely new meticulously created to appeal to new champion British long jumper, sees a huge audience.” audiences, especially young people, in a difference in the current generation of The top 30 athletics nations in Europe rapidly changing digital world. athletics fans and the younger generation, are scheduled to compete at Minsk 2019 “We are proud of traditional athletics and argues that much more needs to be next June. Each team will feature up to 15 – we don’t want to change our sport at done to connect to the latter. athletes and six reserves. There will be 30 all, we only want to showcase it in an “Where we need to innovate, in my medals up for grabs: gold, silver and bronze innovative new way,” said Libor Varhaník, opinion, is to bring in the new generation of for the best team overall, and gold, silver the European Athletics Council Member in potential athletics fans. In London recently and bronze for the best individual athletes charge of the project. at Wembley Stadium they had the e-sports in each of the nine disciplines. “We will incorporate new technologies world championships – and they sold and communicate it using storytelling and out Wembley. Then we had the London HISTORIC EUROPE V USA MATCH narrative. All the research showed us there Diamond League at the iconic Olympic Minsk's newly renovated Dinamo Stadium is huge potential so now we must be brave Stadium and we got one man and his dog will also stage a historic head-to-head and take the chance.” coming. We’re in a situation where we risk competition between athletics teams from For the first time ever, the building missing the boat by actually not engaging Europe and the USA in September next blocks of athletics – running, jumping and enough with the next generation. If we year. throwing – will combine to form part of the don’t change, athletics will fall way down The match, which has echoes of similar same event. DNA will feature mixed teams the pecking order of sports to watch.” competitions held in the 1960s, will battling for supremacy in 10 intensely 400m specialist Steele had a warning for take place in a relatively quiet year for competitive events over only two hours. organisers of DNA: be brave going forward international athletics. Only one team can win and it will all come and always remain flexible. President Hansen said: "In 2019 there down to the final event. “Do not be dismayed if it needs are not many athletics competitions on In addition to sports administrators, improving from version one, and have a the calendar apart from the IAAF World athletes are also throwing their support continuous-release mindset that even if this Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar. behind the new athletics concept. has loads of problems, it doesn’t matter – That is why we have decided on the date."

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