Your Sport for Life
Newsletter of European Athletics 3 | 12 December INSIDE TRACK Your Sport for Life WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
Momentum gained this year must be IMPRESSUM
European Athletics Association Européenne carried forward d’Athlétisme
President: Hansjörg Wirz Vice Presidents: in 2013 Jose Luis de Carlos Karel Pilny Jean Gracia Hansjörg Wirz | President, European Athletics Director General: Christian Milz
Office: Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 18 During this Autumn period, there have been three distinct CH-1003 Lausanne moments when the enormity of this year in athletics has been Switzerland brought home to me. At the European Athletics Convention in Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 50 Fax +41 (0)21 313 43 51 Malta, our Council meeting in Bucharest and, most recently, [email protected] the IAAF Centenary in Barcelona, my conversations have www.european-athletics.org been dominated by what we have experienced in 2012.
“Inside Track” is published by European Athletics It’s good to remind ourselves that it has been an incredible year for European athletics in 2012, with the continent Co-ordination: playing host to some memorable moments in our sport. In James Mulligan chronological order, we have witnessed an IAAF World Aditya Kumar European Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul, the inaugural biennial Communication Department European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, the Olympic Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 57 Games in London, as well as the aforementioned IAAF [email protected] celebrations in Barcelona. Four key moments in athletics – all of which took place in Europe. Text, Photos: James Mulligan, Aditya President Wirz and Prince Radu of Romania, along with Kumar, Bill Glad, Phil Minshull, The level of enthusiasm among the general public, the European Athletics 1st Vice President José Luis DeCarlos, Hansjörg Wirz, Christian media and other important stakeholders that has been Gabriela Szabo and Andrei Chiliman, Mayor of the 1st District Milz, Andy Heading, Michael generated this year must continue in 2013 at the IAAF of Bucharest. Butcher, Picture Alliance World Championships in Moscow and at the 2014 European Design, Production: Athletics Championships in Zurich, the two key events over AMK Atelier für Marketing the next couple of years. place Prague as hosts of the 2015 indoor championships, und Kommunikation Cheboksary as the 2015 team championships hosts and Amstutzstrasse 14 We have some very important events in strong markets Amsterdam as the 2016 European Athletics Championships CH-6010 Kriens, Switzerland Phone +41 (0)41 320 00 72 ahead of Zurich 2014, which will help ensure momentum hosts. Fax +41 (0)41 320 00 79 is maintained, including the Göteborg 2013 European [email protected] Athletics Indoor Championships and the Gateshead Thus, in the area of high performance, we can be satisfied to 2013 and Braunschweig 2014 European Athletics Team a certain degree that we have a clear picture of a strong run Print: Multicolor Print AG Championships. Beyond Zurich, we already have in of events in order to promote our sport at its optimum level, CH-6340 Baar, Switzerland thanks to our long-term event bidding strategy. Follow us: >> Facebook Based on an analysis of our overall competition programme, European Athletics offers a holistic career development plan for athletes from the bottom to the top level.
>> Twitter Our European Athletics Championships offer more opportunities for European athletes than the World Championships, Olympic Games or even one-day meeting structures such >> YouTube as the Diamond League or the IAAF World Challenge.
However, European athletes still do not get ample enough opportunities With IAAF Vice President and London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe.
2 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 3|12 INSIDE TRACK Word from the President e Lif or f t Spor our Y
to compete at the right level. Thus, we are TV audience of 156 million visualising a future competition system that will include competition planning security, motivation for athletes to participate, focus watches Helsinki 2012 European on improving recognition of the athletes and the creation of programmes to attract the future generation. Athletics Championships
Linked to this and in line with the Youth Strategy, the Council in Bucharest agreed Helsinki 2012, the inaugural European Athletics Championships to the concept of a European Youth in an Olympic year, attracted a total television audience of Championships foreseen to be held in 2016. 156 million (excluding news audiences) when it was broadcast The proposal for such an event will be presented to the Congress in Skopje for final earlier this year. approval in April 2013. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) “We will now look at finding the optimum Of course, it is important we are organised in confirmed in its report to European time in a busy summer schedule for the such a way with regards to high performance Athletics that its flagship championships Amsterdam 2016 European Athletics – perceived to be at the core of athletics. It is posted strong live and delayed TV Championships.” also clear, though, that we must look at ways coverage, with more than 35 international to address the fact that endeavours of sports broadcasters showing over 1,400 hours of EUROVISION Director Sports & Business organisations in the areas of health and well- action (1,115 live) during the five days of Stefan Kuerten said, “These figures show being and youth integration are not readily competition. how the strength of the EBU is important recognised by society and the concerned in bringing the top sports events, such as government authorities. European Athletics President Hansjörg Helsinki 2012, to the widest European Wirz said, “This is a great start for audiences. European Athletics Member Federations and the Olympic-year European Athletics clubs have been very active in these areas Championships. With fewer days of “It also demonstrates the commitment of but, so far, there has not been a harmonised competition, shorter evening sessions the EBU and its members to the sport of pan-European strategy to act, engage and and during a packed summer of televised athletics while reflecting the importance gain recognition through such activities. sport, we have still managed to produce of wide-reaching, free to air exposure of Athletics has an enviable advantage in this healthy television figures for our event. the European Athletics Championships.” area because of its simplicity. The sport can be practiced anywhere by anybody without “Indeed, our event has performed better More than 162,000 spectators also requiring anything that incurs cost. than many others in a busy summer watched the action live at the Olympic season. The television figures show the Stadium in the Finnish capital between 27 Governing bodies such as ours thus need to continued importance of our sport on the June and 1 July. unify all activities linked with their sport to continent and underline the continued gain recognition and spread awareness. It popularity of the European Athletics is of the utmost importance to be recognised Championships. by society, public institutions, and political authorities.
Our focus should be on competence, credibility, integration and growth. Our long- term strategy for our sport takes this into account and not only includes developments in high performance but also takes into account health and well-being, education, services and relationship structures, and communication as integral parts.
Following analysis, we are now clearer on what is the real value of European Athletics both in terms of high performance as well as health and well-being activities and its potential value in the existing market. Thus, our commercial strategy going forward in the next years will explore the twin opportunities created by adopting this strategy that will respond, with efficiency, to the rapidly changing requirements of society.
INSIDE TRACK 3|12 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 3 Your Sport for Life Budapest 2012
Europe’s best cross country runners converge on the Hungarian capital
Budapest in Hungary plays host to the 19th SPAR European Cross Country Championships Sunday 9 December and there are some action packed duals lined up, writes Michael Butcher.
Early indications are that the overall record become arguably Europe’s greatest cross one of the participants. I have to be in my number of 34 nations, set at the 2010 cross country runner ever and who has greatest shape to have ability to fight for edition of the championships in Albufeira won the SPAR European Cross Country my 10th gold medal.” Portugal’s Algarve coast and the record Championship on a record nine occasions. number of 468 runners that competed at Spain’s Ayed Lamdassem has already the 2006, 2008 and 2010 SPAR European Lebid is still harbouring ambitions of a finished second twice in the European Cross Country Championships, could be further title to add to his remarkable Cross Country Championships and after toppled this year. record in this event. Last year, the finishing first Spaniard in their trials race in Ukrainian’s preparations were marred by Alcobendas, he will once again be pitching Hungary is familiar with staging top- snow at his training base in Kislovodsk for victory on the beautiful course at the level athletics events, particularly in and which led to him dropping out in Velenje open air museum in Szentendre, which around Budapest. The 1966 and 1998 after 7.5 kilometres. nestles on the banks of the Danube just European Athletics Championships, north of the capital Budapest. the 1983 and 1988 European Athletics But this year he insists that he is in Indoor Championships, as well as much better shape and has enjoyed an Spanish cross country champion, Carles the 1989 and 2004 World Indoor untroubled path to Budapest. Let it not Castillejo, was well beaten by Lamdassem, Championships are all remembered fondly. be forgotten that Lebid is the only man coming home third Spaniard, 13 seconds to have competed in every single edition down, with Alberto Lozano also ahead Additionally, the 1994 World Cross of these championships. Whatever the of Castillejo. The Spaniards as always Country Championships were held on a outcome, he is already an important will turn up with a solid squad keen to horse racing track at Budapest’s Kincsam standard bearer for the event. improve on last year’s team bronze. Park; an event which saw a youthful Sergey Lebid finish 33rd in the junior men’s race, “I’m feeling great and have no problems All the early forecasts for individual the first sight at a major championship of with injuries,” notes Lebid. “There is no honours pointed to Lamdassem once the Ukrainian runner who has gone on to sense for me to come to Budapest just as again fighting it out with Belgium’s Atelaw
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Bekele, but title holder Bekele was beaten As usual, Portugal will be hard to contain by fellow Belgian Bashir Abdi in Roeslare and Jose Rocha, bronze medallist in and he may well cause an upset. Bashir Velenje, showed he is fit and ready by Abdi has been training in Kenya in the winning their trials by 12 seconds while build-up to Roeslare and he appears to Rui Pinto was the under-23 winner. have timed his preparation to perfection. Great Britain’s women scooped up all the France’s Hassan Chahdi was an excellent age-group team prizes at last year’s SPAR fourth last year and is also aiming to European Cross country Championships improve on that. Chahdi tasted victory in and they appear to have produced a new the under-23 category two years ago and star for this year’s edition in Szentendre. last year he only missed out on a senior individual medal by one second. But In the British trials in Liverpool on he still led home the triumphant French Saturday, Jess Coulson romped away squad to gold in the team race, crushing with the honours, winning the senior race the British contingent by 25 points. from more seasoned competitors. Though Coulson still qualifies for the under-23 Ireland’s Joe Sweeney, fifth last year, race in Szentendre she had no difficulty showed his good form continues after in negotiating the muddy conditions, taking a hat trick of wins in the Irish inter- covering the 8.1 kilometres in 27.41 counties. Last year’s British champion, to claim the senior race with another Andy Vernon, was beaten in the trials this under-23 competitor, Hannah Walker, year by Jonathan Taylor but the top six seven seconds in arrears. packed in 12 seconds and will be looking to press the French for the team title. Britain’s senior women might find it difficult to retain their title from 2011 Another unknown quantity is Italy’s since the first senior, Louis Damen, was Daniele Meucci who finished just behind a full 14 seconds behind Coulson with a Bekele in Roeslare and is clearly capable further 20sec gap to Caryl Jones and Beth of getting on to the podium. On the track Potter. A fine win by Portugal’s Ana Dulce Meucci finished second to Britain’s Mo Felix, silver medallist in Velenje, in Tilburg Farah in the 10,000m at the European suggests that she is in good shape. Athletics Championships in Helsinki. Defending champion Atelaw Bekele of Belgium.
Great Britain and NI junior men's team on the podium at Velenje 2011 along with second place finishers Russia and third France.
INSIDE TRACK 3|12 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 5 Your Sport for Life Budapest 2012
Coulson has been a medallist in the to seek a sterner test in northern France. European Cross Country Championships In Le Cross de L’Acier she finished a fine before, in 2006, when she formed part third and will be difficult to dislodge as of the gold medal winning troupe. But reigning champion. in the trials race last year she could finish no higher than 31st, over two minutes Belgian champion, Almensch Belete, took behind the winner. the women’s race in Roeslare, raising the possibility of a double Belgian triumph in This winter, though, she has already Budapest. made a dramatic impact over the cross country finishing a fine third in the British under-23 champion Jonny Hay recent Atapuerca race in Burgos, Spain. withdrew from the first McCain Cross “I wanted to sit in and play it safe to Challenge in Bristol due to a knee ensure I made the top six under-23s,” problem, but in the trials came home as said Coulson after crossing the line first first under-23 in 10th position overall in in Liverpool. “I knew it would be tense so 30:20 in the senior race. when I took the lead I tried to test Hannah a bit and I felt quite comfortable. “I’m a little bit surprised. I haven’t been training as much recently because I’ve got “I’ve run well on the road but not always a knee injury,” said Hay. “I’m really happy so well in the mud so I’m really happy. and I certainly didn’t expect to win the Once I took the lead I didn’t look back under-23s.” once; I just went for it and now I’m looking forward to the European cross.” A consistent cross country performer and impressively first European in The Atapuerca result was interesting last year’s IAAF World Cross Country because in Coulson’s wake was none Championships, Hay is hoping to put in other than the reigning senior champion, a strong performance in Hungary, if his Fionnula Britton of Ireland in fourth and knee problem allows him to make it there. Velenje fourth placer, Italy’s Nadia Ejaffini Norway will be defending the title they in fifth. won in Velenje.
As already noted, in the women’s event The British junior men will also have a the defending champion, Britton, logged strong team, led by trials winner Ian a fourth place in Atapuerca behind British Bailey. The top six in the trials all finished rising stat Coulson. But that was the within 15 seconds suggesting strong Irishwoman’s first foray over cross country packing and an ability to retain their title. and it is maybe to her track times this summer just gone that we may need to In the women’s junior race Emelia Gorecka look for some indication of her form. will be defending her crown after winning the trials race, but her closest rival could Over 3000m, 5000m and 10000m, well be fellow Briton, Jennifer Walsh who Britton has set three lifetime bests this dead heated with her. Promising 800m year, a range of events that may translate runner, Jessica Judd came in third. Amela Terzic´ of Serbia. well over the country. She was missing from the Irish trials because she preferred
6 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 3|12 INSIDE TRACK Council e Lif or f t Spor our Y
European Athletics Team Championships: Braunschweig to host 2014, Cheboksary 2015
European Athletics Permit Meetings 2013 (as of 9 November 2012)
Indoor Meetings Date Name of the Meeting City Ctry 19 January 13 Reykjavik International Games Reykjavik ISL 26 January 13 Aviva International Match Glasgow GBR 1-2 February 13 International Indoor Combined Events Tallinn EST 06 February 13 Banskobystricka Banska Bystrica SVK 06 February 13 Pedros Cup Bydgoszcz POL 08 February 13 7. International PSD Bank Meeting Düsseldorf GER 09 February 13 Pole Vault Stars Donetsk UKR European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz joins the successful Braunschweig delegation, including star pole vaulter Björn Otto, following the awarding of Race Walking Meetings the 2014 European Athletics Team Championships. Date Name of the Meeting City Ctry 17 March 13 Lugano Trophy – Memorial Mario Lugano SUI The German city of Braunschweig and the Russian Albisetti 06 April 13 22° Grande Prémio Internacional de Rio Maior POR city of Cheboksary will host, respectively, the top Rio Maior leagues of the 2014 and 2015 European Athletics Team 13 April 13 Podebrady 2013 Podebrady CZE Championships, following decisions by the European 29 June 13 19th Dublin International Grand Prix Dublin IRL Athletics Council at its 133 meeting in Bucharest on of Race Walking 2-4 November. Outdoor Meetings – Premium Braunschweig prevailed over Health & Well-Being Date Name of the Meeting City Ctry Ostrava (Czech Republic) in the The Council approved the 08 June 13 European Athletics Festival Bydgoszcz POL contest to host the top division of principles regarding the content for 09 June 13 Memorial Primo Nebiolo Turin ITA the 2014 championships, while competitive and non-competitive 10 June 13 Josef Odlozila Memorial Prague CZE Cheboksary was the sole bidder for activities in the domain of Health & 26 June 13 Meeting de la Ville de Reims Reims FRA 2015. Well-Being. 28 June 13 Meeting Lille Metropole Lille Métropole FRA 13 July 13 KBC Night of Athletics Heusden BEL European Athletics President The Council approved the proposal 23-25 August 13 Internationales Hochsprung-Meeting Eberstadt* GER Hansjörg Wirz said, “We congratulate to integrate the Mass Participation 26 August 13 Gugl Games Linz AUT Braunschweig and Cheboksary and and Health & Fitness working groups 03 September 13 Palio Citta Della Quercia Rovereto ITA look forward to excellent European into one group, which will be chaired * Special Premium Meeting Athletics Team Championships in the by European Athletics Vice President summers of 2014 and 2015. Jean Gracia and called the Health Outdoor Meetings – Classic & Well-Being Working Group. The Date Name of the Meeting City Ctry “They have shown the Council new working group will present a 30 May 13 Riga Cup 2013 Riga LAT that they are ready to host these detailed project plan and budget to 31 May 13 Leichtathletikmeeting “Anhalt 13” Dessau GER prestigious championships in the Council at its next meeting. 01 June 13 Papaflessia 2013 Kalamata GRE terms of competition, logistics and 03 June 13 Meeting International de Montreuil Montreuil Sous FRA promotion. Sustainability Bois European Athletics’ ongoing 04 June 13 18th International Athletic Meeting Velenje SLO Among other decisions, the Council sustainability drive will be in Honor of Miner’s day also approved the allocation of the spearheaded by its “Green 12 June 13 9th Meeting Iberoamericano de Huelva ESP 2013 European Athletics Outdoor Inspiration” brand concept, Atletismo Classic and Premium Meetings, approved by the Council, which 15 June 13 Göteborg GP Göteborg SWE Indoor Permit Meetings and Race will be used to drive campaigns 15 June 13 59th Janusz Kusocinski Memorial Szczecin POL Walking Permit Meetings. that inspire and recognise efforts 16 June 13 Paavo Nurmi Games Turku FIN contributing to the sustainability 26 June 13 Terra Sarda Meeting Sardinia ITA The Council also approved the of events. The design concept and 27 June 13 Sollentuna GP Sollentuna SWE calendar of events for 2013–2016. communication plan for the project 30 June 13 Znamensky Memorial Zhukovskiy RUS will be developed. 02 July 13 Meeting Stanislas Nancy FRA The Council agreed to the concept 08 July 13 Meeting International Sotteville les FRA proposal of the European Athletics The project will start with the Rouens Youth Championships that is 2013 European Athletics Indoor 10 July 13 Gyulai Istvàn Memorial – Hungarian Budapest HUN foreseen to be held in 2016. It will Championships in the Swedish city Athletics Grand Prix be presented to the Congress in of Göteborg. It will then be rolled 17 July 13 Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern Luzern SUI Skopje for final approval in April out to subsequent events in 2013 25 July 13 Karlstad GP Karlstad SWE 2013. and 2014. 25 August 13 The Athletic Bridge 2013 Dubnica SVK 01 September 13 Meeting Citta di Padova Padova ITA
INSIDE TRACK 3|12 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 7 Your Sport for Life AWARDS NIGHT
European Athletics Rising Star Award winners Pavel Maslák of Czech Republic and Angelica Bengtsson of Sweden with President Wirz during the European Athletics Awards Night in St Julians, Malta. European heroes take centre stage in St Julians
The best of European Athletics were Great Britain’s Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah were honoured at a grand ceremony to mark recognised as winners of the 2012 European Athlete the European Athletics Awards Night of the Year Awards while Sweden’s Angelica Bengtsson and the Czech Republic’s Pavel Maslák were presented in St Julians, Malta. with the European Athletics Rising Star Awards by European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz during the ceremony that was the highlight of the three-day annual European Athletics Convention.
More than 270 key decision makers from the 50 European Athletics Member Federations had gathered for the annual meeting.
Multi-events superstar Ennis, who became only the third British woman after compatriots Sally Gunnell and
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Dame Kelly Holmes to be honoured as the European Athlete of the Year, was thrilled to be in distinguished company.
“It’s a great honour to win the European Athlete of the Year Award. I am very excited. I would like to thank everyone who has voted for me,” said Ennis.
“It has been a great year with the Olympics. It’s a pity that I could not be in Malta in person to collect my award, since I have started my winter training, but my coach (Toni Minichiello) will be there to receive it on my behalf.
“Next year my main goal is the World Championships in Moscow. 2014 will be a big year too, I am preparing for the European Athletics Championships in Zurich. That will be my main focus for the year,” she added.
Ennis overcame the burden of being the poster girl of London 2012 to win the heptathlon gold medal Angelica Bengtsson receives her trophy. at the Olympic Games on her home turf. Her score at the London 2012 Olympic Games, in a British record of 6955 points, moved her up to number four on the European all-time list and fifth on the global ranking.
British middle distance star Farah, who is based out of Portland in the United States, could not attend the Awards Night due to his training commitments. IAAF vice president and London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe received the award on his behalf.
The 29-year-old Londoner is just the second athlete to be named as the European Athlete of the Year for a second consecutive year – following on from Swedish triple-jumper Christian Olsson in 2003-2004 – after his phenomenal double success over 5000m and 10,000m at the London Olympic Games.
Farah defended his European 5000m title in Helsinki to become the first man to win consecutive gold medals over the distance at the European Athletics Championships. London 2012 Chairman Lord Coe receives the European Athlete of the Year trophy on behalf of Mo Farah.
INSIDE TRACK 3|12 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 9 Your Sport for Life AWARDS NIGHT
The recipients of different award categories with President Wirz (centre) and European Athletics Director General Christian Milz (far left) during the European Athletics Awards Night in St Julians.
“I am delighted to be voted as the European Athlete of the Year for 2012. I have always enjoyed competing at the European championships and this year a victory in Helsinki put me in the right frame of mind ahead of the Olympics. In the coming years I want to win as many medals as I can, so I will keep competing at the Europeans. Next year, the European Athletics Team Championships are in Gateshead and I am looking forward to that,” said Farah.
Finally, I would like to thank European Athletics and everyone who voted for me. It’s a pity that I could not be there tonight,” he added.
Pole vault prodigy Bengtsson became the first athlete of European either gender from her country to be voted European Athletics Athletics Rising Star. The 20-year-old has been Coaching consistently breaking records in the last few years and Awards winners 2012 was no different. This summer, she defended her Tina Torop of Estonia and world junior title in Barcelona and then she added a Slavko Cˇrne centimetre to her world junior outdoor best when she of Slovenia scaled a Swedish senior record 4.58m in Sollentuna. congratulate each other.
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“I am very excited and feel honoured being voted European Athletics Rising Star. I am looking to compete at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Göteborg next year. 2012 was a very good year for me, I enjoyed competing in Helsinki, and winning at the world juniors in Barcelona was special. I got used to the seniors circuit this year and I feel I am ready for the challenge,” said Bengtsson.
The male European Athletics Rising Star award was presented to the 400m runner Maslák, who is also the first athlete from his country to be honoured as the European Athletics Rising Star.
The 21-year-old bagged the most important victory of his career so far when he claimed the 400m gold medal at the 2012 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki. He set a national record when he ran 44.91 during the heats at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
“This is a great honour for me and for the people of Czech Republic. I thank everyone who voted for me. This year was indeed a very special one for me. Winning a gold medal in Helsinki and becoming the first athlete from my country to break the 45-sec barrier in the 400m means a lot to me. I will work hard to keep getting better next year,” said Maslák.
Two other important presentations were also made at Norway’s Charlotte Svenson, the overall winner of the 2012 European Athletics Innovation Awards, the Gala. received a bouquet from European Athletics Council Member Dr Sylvia Barlag. Norway’s Charlotte Svenson received a plaque as the overall winner of the 2012 European Athletics Innovation Awards for her project entitled “Ung:Leder – To create the Volunteers of Tomorrow”.
Tina Torop of Estonia and Slavko Cˇ rne of Slovenia received the first two of the European Athletics Coaching Award from President Wirz as representatives of the 51 award winners from 30 countries.
Jessica Ennis' coach Toni Minichiello receives the European Athlete of the Year Award on her behalf.
INSIDE TRACK 3|12 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 11 Your Sport for Life
A passion for developing young leaders
At the European Athletics Awards Night in St Julian’s, Malta, Charlotte Svensen of Norway received the 2012 European Athletics Innovation Award on behalf of the Norwegian athletic federation team behind the programme entitled Ung:Leder – To Create the Volunteers of Tomorrow.
Selected as the best of a record 46 entries After the Awards Night, Inside Track from 21 countries, the programme has spoke with Charlotte about the passion been cited as a model for developing she and her team share for developing the sport’s next generation of grass roots young leaders in athletics. leaders across Europe. Charlotte, congratulations to you The Ung: Leder Programme In its first year, it attracted a grant of and your team on your award and the 450,000 from a national foundation in a Nutshell € success of the Ung:Leder programme. supported by the banking industry, and Can you tell us how the programme recently the foundation announced it came to life and how many of you – The programme is operated by the Norwegian Athletic would give a further 1.1 million to fund € are working on it? Federation with financial support from Gjensidigestiftelsen the programme for three more years. It all started with a dream of giving (a charitable foundation set up by the banking industry). youngsters the opportunity to show Charlotte, who works as the their strengths and their commitment – The programme accepts 100 young people between 15 Communications Manager at the to athletics. We are in great need of and 25 years old each year. federation, has also played in important more volunteers in athletics, we are in role in the promotion of the European need of new ideas, and we are in need – Participants are required to attend four weekend seminars Athletics-UNESCO Young Leaders of enthusiastic people, who can initiate and lead a personal project. Community by encouraging Ung:Leder innovative projects that will keep us ahead participants to join and share their of other sports. – At the end of the programme participants will have experiences through the Community’s successfully: website (www.athleticscommunity.org). What exactly are the aims of the programme? • Gained basic knowledge of theories and There are two things. First, we wanted perspectives on leading an organisation. to give young people the confidence and experienced they need to take on • Gained practical experience as a leader leadership roles in their clubs. To do this through individual projects we offer seminars about leading and we have project leaders and experienced • Explored the possibility to specialise in a mentors who work closely with each certain area of interest: event management, individual participant. Second, we wanted trainer or organisational management to increase the participation of children in athletics at the local level. For this reason, • Taken opportunities to meet other all the participants on the Ung:Leder contributors to Norwegian Athletics in programme are required to deliver their order to network and share experiences own project for children in cooperation with their club and town authorities. • Reflected, together with a mentor, their own development as a leader and further How does that work out? engagement in athletics, and made a Most of them are running summer personal development plan. athletics camps where the kids have fun, get fit and learn about our sport. It gives Check out a video of the the leaders great hands-on experience Ung:Leder Programme in action at: in organising a complex activity because they have to plan, work with partners, get
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Council approves 2013 education programme calendar
A passion for developing young leaders
the facilities and equipment in order, communicate with their customers, think about safety, etc. Through these camps they were able provide a quality experience to more than 5,000 youngsters over the first summer, many of whom have gone on to join clubs and become part of the sport.
You have brought in a really At its November meeting in Bucharest In addition, European Athletics impressive amount of financial the European Athletics Council approved will be providing scholarships support for the project. What is the programme of European Athletics (two per federation) to support the story there? educational measures for 2013. Invitations the participation in the Coaching Once we had the concept for the programme, we contacted for each measure will be circulated in due Summit Series events (listed Gjensidigestiftelsen, which is a course but Member Federations should below). take note of the following information: foundation in Norway. They thought European Combined Events we had a great idea, and that it was an Doping Control Delegates Seminar Conference opportunity to encourage Norwegian Frankfurt, Germany – 5 to 7 April Tallinn, Estonia – 30 to 31January kids and to get into sport. They decided to grant us 3.5 million NOK New Member Federation Leaders Seminar European Horizontal Jumps and in 2011. The results from 2011 were Skopje, FYR Macedonia – 12 April Hurdles Symposium Falun, Sweden – 8 to 10 November so positive that they decided to grant Women’s Leadership Programme us another 7.5 million NOK to educate Birmingham, Great Britain – 12-15 April European Middle and Long Distance 100 new leaders in each of the next Events Conference Area Technical Officials Seminar & three years. Just as exciting, we are Birmingham, England – 15 to 17 now in negotiations with a potential IAAF TOECS Level II Course November Lisbon, Portugal – 6 to 8 September sponsor that would like to support European Speed Endurance the summer camp projects all over the Area Race Walking Judges Seminar & IAAF Conference country. RWJECS Level II Course Pajulahti, Finland – 22 to 24 November Athlone, Ireland – 10 to 13 October European Throws Symposium What is your thinking behind High Performance Forum/Head Coaches linking the programme to the Tanhuvaara, Finland – 30 November to 1 Meeting December European Athletics-UNESCO Young Tallinn, Estonia – 11 October Leaders Community? Well, it is natural, really. The aims are Member Federation Leaders Forum Member Federations should also exactly the same and I think creating Tallinn, Estonia – 12 October note the following: an international community of young Technical Delegates Seminar International Festival of Athletics volunteers with the ambition and skills Venue tbd – date tbd to lead is essential for our sport. The Coaching Glasgow, Great Britain – 25 to 27 Young Leaders Community provides October opportunities for our participants to share their projects and ideas with others all around Europe. It also has The 2013 programme of activities at the IAAF Regional Development Centre in the potential to be a way that we can Moscow will be available on the RDC website (www.iaaf-rdc.ru) in the coming stay in contact with them after their weeks. year in our programme. I am proud Be sure to visit the European Athletics website, where additional details on all education measures that at the end of October, Norway will be published as they become available. had the second largest group of members, behind only Spain.
INSIDE TRACK 3|12 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 13 Your Sport for Life DIRECTOR GENERAL'S STATE OF THE SPORT
lives by the organisation’s Your Sport for The milestones for Life ethos and will be donning its running shoes at various fun running events in 2013. European Athletics in 2013 S – Super League. The top tier of the European Athletics Team Championships Looking ahead to 2013 and incredibly busy year for European in 2013 will be in Gateshead, England. Athletics, Director General Christian Milz runs through an A to T – Tallinn. The Estonian capital is in for Z highlights package of the next 12 months. a busy year as it hosts the European Cup Combined Events Super League 29-30 June and then the European Athletics Council’s approval to integrate the Mass Convention, including the Awards Night By Christian Milz, Participation and Health & Fitness working gala, in October. Director General groups into one group in November, a U – Under 23s. It’s the turn of Tampere of European detailed project plan is being prepared in Finland to welcome the best young Athletics and more activities are envisaged in 2013. athletes in this age group when the I – Indoor season. Following the European Athletics U23 Championships seven European Athletics Indoor Permit take place 11-14 July. meetings at the start of 2013, the V – Volunteers. We will be working crowning glory will be the Göteborg on further developing the European A – Awards Night. European Athletics 2013 championships, with its “All Under Athletics Young Leaders Community has created a working group to further One Roof” concept and forward-thinking by using existing social networks to improve the European Athletics Awards smartphone initiatives ... and of course promote volunteer work and projects in Night. We will colllaborate with the 2013 some fantastic athletics. athletics in order to help our members organisers Tallinn to make it a memorable J – Juniors. The Italian city of Rieti develop themselves and make valuable event in October. will host the European Athletics Junior contributions to the sport and their local B – Banska Bystrica. The Slovakian city Championships 18-21 July. communities (www.athleticscommunity. will host the European Athletics Team K – Kaunas. The Lithuanian city follows org). Championships Third League on 22-23 up its hosting of the 2009 European W – Women’s Leadership. The biennial June. Athletics U23 Championships with the European Athletics Women’s Leadership C – Castellon. The European Cup Winter organising of the European Athletics Team Awards will be distributed in 2013, to Throwing will be held here 16-17 March Championships Second League. recognise the contributions of women after the Spanish city stepped in to host L – Legacy. This will be important in 2013 leaders in athletics and raise awareness of the continent’s top field specialists. as European Athletics looks to build on the issues affecting gender equity in our D – Dudince. Slovakia will host its first the momentum of a defining year that sport. For the 2011 edition, 30 Member European Athletics event of 2013 when saw the first Olympic-year European Federations selected a national winner the European Cup Race Walking comes to Athletics Championships and then an "whose work and accomplishments, Dudince on 19 May. excellent London Games. other than in competition, are a significant E – Event Bidding. A number of top M – Mountains. The 12th European contribution that serves as an example of European Athletics events will be awarded Mountain Running Championships will leadership and other values of the sport in 2013. At the Council meeting in Berlin take place in Borovets, Bulgaria, on 6 July. of athletics." in May the 2015 European Athletics N – Netherlands. With the new biennial X – “X Country”. It will be the turn of Junior and U23 Championships, and schedule for our flagship event, European Belgrade to host the premier the 2014 SPAR European Cross Country Athletics will be working in parallel with cross country event on the Championships will be awarded, while both future confirmed organisers of the continent when it hosts decisions on the 2018 European Athletics European championships, which means a the SPAR European Cross Championships and 2015 SPAR European trip soon to the Netherlands for the first Country Championships on 8 Cross Country Championships will be of many meetings with Amsterdam 2016. December 2013. taken at the Autumn Council meeting in O – Olympics. The overwhelming Y – Youth. This age group Zurich. popularity of athletics at the London 2012 will be in particular focus F – First Leagues. The second tier of the Olympic Games once again confirmed at the European Athletics European Athletics Team Championships the status of our sport as the queen of Congress in Skopje on 13 will be held in Dublin, while Nottwil in all Olympic sports. In 2013, the challenge April, when the attendees will Switzerland will play host to the European is to capitalise on the interest level in vote on whether to introduce Cup Combined Events First League. athletics that gained momentum during a European Athletics Youth G – Green Inspiration. European the Games. Championships for the first Athletics’ ongoing sustainability drive will P – Pravets. The European Cup 10,000m time in 2016. be spearheaded by its Green Inspiration takes place in the Bulgarian city on 8 June. Z – Zurich. The Swiss city brand concept to drive campaigns that Q – Qualification System. European is motoring ahead with its inspire and recognise efforts contributing Athletics is mulling the possibility of preparations for the 2014 to the sustainability of events. The project utilising one-day permit meetings to European Athletics Championships. See will start with Göteborg 2013 and then bolster the qualification system for the the crazy event mascot Cooly in action be rolled out across subsequent events in European Athletics Championships in here: 2013-2014. future. It will enhance the value of such H – Health and Well Being. The domain competitions and will also serve as a of Health & Well-Being is one of the promotion tool for the flagship European prime focuses of European Athletics Athletics event. in the coming years. Following the R – Running. The European Athletics staff
14 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 3|12 INSIDE TRACK GÖteborg 2013 e Lif or f t Spor our Y
No man has won over the distance on three occasions and Farah could conceivably make a bid for a unique hat- trick over 15 laps of the indoor track.
The men’s jumps provided some of the highlights of the last European Athletics Indoor Championships in Paris two years Olympic champion Mo Farah of Great Britain. ago, including two championship records, and it is distinctly possible that all four Göteborg set to welcome winners will defend their titles. Parisian triple jumper Teddy Tamgho thrilled his home audience and brought the curtain down on a memorable three days with a world indoor record in the Europe’s heroes very last event of those Championships. Tamgho jumped 17.92m not once but from Helsinki and London twice to add one centimetre to his own mark and come out on top of a superb competition which saw 2009 champion Göteborg will host the European Athletics Indoor Fabrizio Donato also go further than his Championships for the third time in March and, just like old championship best with Italian records when the Swedish city last staged the event in the famous of 17.70m and then 17.73m, but still had to settle for the silver medal. Scandinavium arena in 1984, the championship will have a close relationship with the Olympic Games, writes Phil Minshull. The Frenchman has struggled to recover from a fractured ankle he suffered at the 2011 European Athletics U23 Championships but the mercurial jumper On that occasion, 28 years ago, spectators Great Britain’s 2011 and 2012 European is back in training and intends to return to witnessed a prelude to the coming Athlete of the Year Mo Farah won the competition this winter. summer’s events in Los Angeles. 5000m in Helsinki before going on to take a historic long distance double in By contrast, the seemingly ageless Donato, The likes of the great German high London and has competed over 3000m who is now 36, had a wonderful summer jumpers Dietmar Mögenburg and Ulrike at the last four European Athletics Indoor which saw him winning in Helsinki and Meyfarth triumphed before going on to Championships, winning gold on his last taking a bronze medal in London and also win an Olympic title while a number two appearances in Torino and Paris. he could potentially be the oldest ever of other medallists at the 15th European winner at the European Athletics Indoor Athletics Indoor Championships also went Championships. on to climb the podium at that year’s Olympics on the other side of the Atlantic.
This time, the Championships provide an opportunity for athletics fans to salute many of the heroes of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Helsinki 2012 European Athletics Championships.
As this article is being written almost three months ahead of the event, it is impossible to say with certainty who specifically will be in action in Göteborg but many of those that made their mark in the British and Finnish capitals have indicated that they could grace the 32nd edition of what was, back in 1970, the world’s first major international indoor championship. Renaud Lavillenie of France.
INSIDE TRACK 3|12 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 15 Your Sport for Life GÖteborg 2013
The haul of 10 gold medals achieved in who will still be a teenager next March, 2009, a figure only beaten by the Unified will have her first opportunity to impress Team of former Soviet Union countries as a full-fledged senior after having won who got 12 titles in 1992, maybe hard to everything that has been on offer in the match but Russian head coach Valentin junior ranks. Maslakov will be looking to improve on the six victories achieved two years ago in Moa Hjelmer was an unexpected winner Paris. of the 400m at the 2012 European Athletics Championships across the In addition to Ukhov, it would be no border and will want to consolidate surprise to see many of their women stars her growing reputation and, perhaps, having gold medals hung around their increase her medal collection in Góteborg. necks after winning five of the 13 events in Paris. Long jumper Michel Tornéus and high jumper Emma Green Tregaro also got A lot of eyes will be on Yelena Arzhakova, on to the podium in Helsinki with a pair who will be just 23 next March but of bronze medals respectively, and could already has been a continental champion have good chances of bringing Sweden both indoors and out. more success as well.
Arzhakova won a tactical 1500m in the One thing for certain is that this French capital but then showed she has Championship will have a rather different a multitude of talents across a range of complexion to the previous two hosted by distances with a superb 800m victory in Göteborg. Helsinki. Back in the 1970s and 80s, Europe had The Russian women’s 4x400m quartet a very different political makeup. There will also start as prohibitive favourites were 25 and 26 countries represented Russian high jumper Ivan Ukhov was regardless of which four women are in 1974 and 1984 respectively, many of in fine form in Paris two years ago and representing their country, owing to their which no longer exist, while just 263 and equalled his own 2011 world best of outstanding depth in the event. Russia has 245 athletes competed in the last two 2.38m to retain the title he won two won four of the six races since the event Championships in Göteborg, admittedly years earlier, before going close at a world was re-introduced to the Championships with a slightly shorter competition indoor record of 2.44m. programme in 2000. programme which didn’t include the combined events and either the women’s Now with an Olympic title to his name, Of course, as demonstrated in London, pole vault or triple jump. Ukhov could aim to become just the nothing helps embellish a championship second man in his event to win three like home success and Swedish athletics Turn the clock forward to the second consecutive gold medals, following on fans will be hoping that an emerging decade of the 21st century and it is likely from the feat of Hungary’s István Major generation of local stars will continue to almost every one of European Athletics’ from 1971-73, when the Championships show their prowess. 50 member Federations and nearly 600 were held annually. athletes will be competing, figures which Pole vaulter and 2012 European Athletics once again will show the strength of the Another London champion who might Rising Star of the Year Angelica Bengtsson, sport across the continent. be bidding to retain his European indoor crown is pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, who cleared a championship record of 6.03m in Paris and who could be bidding for a third successive win.
German long jumper Sebastian Bayer added a European outdoor title to his two gold medals under cover in 2009 and 2011, the former being especially memorable for magnificent European indoor long jump record of 8.71m, and has the same aim as Lavillenie: to become the first man to win his event on three times-in-a-row.
Russia, as always, is expected to send a strong team to Göteborg and will want to retain its place as Europe’s leading athletics nation after topping the medal table in 2009 and 2011, especially as Moscow will be the venue next summer for the 2013 World Championships.
Teddy Tamgho celebrates his triple jump world record in Paris.
16 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 3|12 INSIDE TRACK