2.05.2021 Silesian Stadium Media Guide 2 World Athletics Relays Silesia21 | Media Guide World Athletics Relays Silesia21 | Media Guide 3
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1 – 2.05.2021 SILESIAN STADIUM MEDIA GUIDE 2 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE 3 Contents World Athletics President’s message Silesian Voivodeship Marshal’s message Polish Athletics Federation President’s message 1 World Athletics Council World Athletics delegates and international officials World Athletics Media Team 2 Local Organising Committee LOC Media Team 3 Practical information 4 Accreditation 5 Media & Photographers 6 Venue – Silesian Stadium 7 Accommodation 8 World Athletics Relays history + records 9 Timetable 10 Silesia – the region 11 Mascots 4 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE WHERE CHAMPIONS LIVE FOREVER DISCOVER A WORLDFIRST VIRTUAL SPORTING EXPERIENCE DRIVEN BY PASSION, RESILIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND COURAGE. STEP INSIDE WORLDATHLETICS.ORG/MOWA WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE 5 I am delighted to welcome the world’s media to the World Ath- letics Relays Silesia21, the fifth edition of our newest World Athletics Series event, and the first to be held in Europe. Established over three very successful editions in Nassau, The Bahamas, from 2014-2017, the World Relays then travelled to Yokohama, Japan for another outstanding competition in 2019, and now makes its way to Silesia in Poland, another of our most passionate athletics nations. Of course, the world has changed immeasurably since we gathered the world’s best relay teams in Japan two years ago and it has taken a remarkable effort from our Local Organising Committee in Silesia to prepare for this event under the most challenging circumstances. Circumstances dictate that this will be quite a different ver- sion of the World Athletics Relays, which have been marked by a joyous and youthful energy since their inception. There are extensive health and safety protocols to observe for all par- ticipants, and the absence of fans in the stadium will change the atmosphere of the event, but the world’s best relay teams will still come together to compete for both the prestige of victory and for prized places in the 4 X 100m and 4 X 400m relay fields at the Tokyo Olympic Games in July-August. The shuttle hurdles relay and the 2 X 2 X 400m relay, which made their debut in Yokohama will also return to the pro- gramme in Silesia. This will be our first World Athletics Series event of 2021, and only our second since the pandemic began at the begin- ning of 2020. Coincidentally, our only WAS event of 2020 was also held in Poland, the highly successful World Athletics Half Marathon Championships that took place in Gdynia last October. Poland has been a regular and reliable host of World Athlet- ics Series events over the last 15 years. Its record includes the World Indoor Championships in Sopot in 2014, the World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz in 2008 and 2016, the World Cross Country in 2010 and 2013, also in Bydgoszcz, and then Gdynia last year. So we are most grateful to the Local Organising Committee, the Polish Government, the local authorities in Silesia and the Polish federation for their efforts to ensure that this event will also go ahead in a format that will allow our athletes to com- pete in a safe environment. As ever, we have endeavoured to provide the highest stan- dard of media facilities for one of our most valued stakeholder groups, and we trust that you will have a productive and en- joyable experience in Silesia. Sebastian Coe, President, World Athletics 6 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE The Silesia Province: full of positive energy! WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE 7 Ladies and Gentlemen, History is happening before our eyes. The Silesian Stadium will become the arena of the greatest athletic events in the world, and outstanding athletes will fight for the highest lau- rels, competing not only with their rivals, but also trying to push their own limits. I am proud to be the host of the Silesian Voivodeship, which is developing not only in economic area, but is also a more attractive place to live and a region that hosts the biggest world sporting events. The Silesian Stadium is undoubtedly a unique place on the sports map of Poland and Europe. It is hard to find a football fan who does not know the legendary fortress of the white and red team, the magic and legend associated with this iconic facility. It is the ”Witches’ Cauldron” where the great- est successes of Polish sport were forged, where stars were born, where thousands of throats cheered and led our repre- sentatives into the battle. In recent years, the facility has undergone a real metamor- phosis and is now a multi-purpose stadium. It has officially been given the title of the National Athletics Stadium, which successfully hosts the largest athletics meetings and soon the World Athletics Relays Silesia21, in which more than 120 teams have announced their participation. This is a step to- wards the future, but also a tribute to the rich history of the facility, which over the years hosted great events and where records were set. We’re following this beautiful tradition and building a new legend. Organizing such a prestigious event is a source of pride for us, but also a great logistical challenge. We want the Silesian Stadium to become a permanent part of the calendar of the biggest athletic events in the world, to attract the best ath- letes and thousands of fans thirsting for excitement of the highest world class quality. The magic of the Silesian Stadium is still alive, and its rich his- tory motivates and provides true inspiration for young ath- letes whose dream is to be a part of a great sporting specta- cle. I am convinced that this event will be an athletic feast for us and will allow us to experience plenty of sporting excite- ments during this difficult time for everyone. Jakub Chełstowski Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship 8 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me welcome you to Poland and the impressive modern Silesian Stadium for the World Athletics Relays. The World Athletics Relays Silesia21 is the first major international event to be held in the venue, which since 2020 has proudly borne the name of the National Athletics Stadium. In recent years, the Silesian Stadium has become the real and proper home to Polish athletes. It is now joining the list of stadiums which have hosted major international events. After successfully hosting the Janusz Kusociński and Kamila Skolimowska Memorials, which have taken place here since 2018, it is time for another test. It is time for the World Athletics Relays Silesia21! At the outset of the Olympic season, the representatives of 37 nations are coming to Poland, with over 120 relay teams competing. Excitement is guaranteed. The stakes are high – on the blue track of the Silesian Stadium, the top teams will earn qualification spots for the Tokyo Olympic Games. That guarantees an exciting fight for a goal close to all athletes’ hearts – becoming an Olympian. I wish everyone success, as well as a happy and safe stay in Poland Henryk Olszewski, PhD Chairman of the Polish Athletics Association WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE 9 World Athletics Council 2019 – 2023 President Sebastian Coe (GBR) Senior Vice-President Sergey Bubka (UKR) Vice-Presidents Geoff Gardner (NFI) Nawaf Al Saud (KSA) World Athletics Ximena Restrepo (CHI) Media Team World Athletics Communications Department Individual Members Nicole Jeffery Alberto Juantorena Danger (CUB) Head of Communications +33 640 616 809 Nawal El Moutawakel (MAR) [email protected] Abby Hoffman (CAN) Loic Malroux Dahlan Al Hamad (QAT) – Asia* Senior Manager Hamad Kalkaba Malboum (CMR) – Africa* +33 643 911 887 [email protected] Anna Riccardi (ITA) Sylvia Barlag (NED) World Athletics Media Operations Hiroshi Yokokawa (JPN) Zacharias Vailakis Antti Pihlakoski (FIN) Project Integration and Head Adille Sumariwalla (IND) of Media Operations +33 640 622 108 Nan Wang (CHN) [email protected] Willie Banks (USA) Raul Chapado (ESP) World Athletics Press Delegate Dobromir Karamarinov (BUL) Martina Kucerova Beatrice Ayikoru (UGA) Media Operations Consultant +33 643 919 490 Mike Sands (BAH) – NACAC* [email protected] Hélio Gesta De Melo (BRA) – South America* Robin Sapong Eugenio (NMI) – Oceania* Broadcast Department Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) Frederic Sanchez – Athletes’ Commission Chairperson Head of Broadcast Operations Valerie Adams (NZL) +33 607 930 083 – Athletes’ Commission Representative [email protected] *Area representative 10 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE 11 Local Organising Committee LOC CEO Marcin Rosengarten Head Of Planning&Coordination Marcin Płachno Competition Director Katarzyna Wita Venue Manager Jakub Kasperczak Security Manager Tomasz Milewski Technology Manager Marek Kotomski IT Manager Artur Perchel Volunteer Manager Marta Furmańczuk Event Presentation Manager Loc Media Filip Moterski & Communication Team Ceremonies Manager Paulina Mechecka Maciej Łopatto Team Services Manager TV & Mixed Zone Manager Krzysztof Kopertyński +48 501 621 251 [email protected] Accommodation Manager Henryk Kalinowski Maciej Jałoszyński Transport Manager Head of Media Centre Tomasz Staszkiewicz +48 664 721 383 [email protected] Car Fleet Manager Michał Stopka Piotr Sumara Logistics Manager Photo Manager Magdalena Sobolewska +48 697 612 271 Accreditation Manager Marek Plawgo Mateusz Górka Publications Manager Medical & Anti-Doping Manager Szymon Borodziuk Sebastian Chmara Broadcast Manager Marketing & Promotion Manager Justyna Czarna Marta Gorczyńska Ticketing Manager Social Media Coordinator Damian Jędrasik Patryk Godula Sponsorship Manager Press Operations Manager Marcin Nowak Vip & Hospitality Manager Paweł Jackowski Karolina Warchoł Translator 12 WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS SILESIA21 | MEDIA GUIDE Practical information Travel to Poland Everyone must comply with travel regulations in force at the time of the journey and must have enough masks and hand sanitizers for the entire journey duration.