Your Sport for Life
Newsletter of European Athletics 1 | 14 June INSIDE TRACK
Wooow!!!!! Get ready for Braunschweig & Zurich Your Sport for Life WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
Challenges and IMPRESSUM
European Athletics Association Européenne opportunities d’Athlétisme
President: Hansjörg Wirz Vice Presidents: in front of us Jose Luis de Carlos Karel Pilny Jean Gracia Hansjörg Wirz | President, European Athletics Director General: Christian Milz
Office: Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 18 As I approach the end of my Presidency of European Good governance means having a strong strategy. IAAF CH-1003 Lausanne Athletics, I am kept as busy as ever working on a myriad recently requested from us a Continental Athletics Strategic Switzerland of activities. In the past six months, there have been many Plan (CASP). Of course, we have had for a long time a Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 50 Fax +41 (0)21 313 43 51 conferences, seminars, meetings, workshops, and official comprehensive and coherent existing strategy that we further [email protected] Member Federation and political visits. And that’s before improved for this. We hope our contribution that defines our www.european-athletics.org even mentioning all our events. objectives and sub-objectives strengthens our alliance with the IAAF. “Inside Track” is published by European Athletics Our organisation continues to work on and refine its good governance principals, television and marketing We must continue our good cooperation with IAAF if Co-ordination: development strategy, and our own continental strategy, we are to realise one of our main goals in terms of high- James Mulligan aligned and within the IAAF structure. performance: to restructure the one-day competition system François Schrurs European Athletics in Europe to make our sport easier to follow. Communication Department It is hard work and, at times, a delicate balancing act as we Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 57 work to bring all activities linked to athletics together – in the There has been a lot of reflection regards the future [email protected] areas of high performance, health and fitness, organisation, competition structure in Europe, and we believe we must education – to reach awareness, recognition, competence, integrate three different elements – the one-day meeting Text, Photos: James Mulligan, François credibiblity, integration and growth within society, be it from structure, the European Athletics Championships format Schrurs, Bill Glad, Richard the public, institutions or political authorities. and the championship qualification system – into one Lewis, Hansjörg Wirz, Christian attractive product that appeals to the public. These three Milz, Andy Heading, Getty The overall goal of this work? To make athletics the No. 1 aforementioned elements have to be linked much closer Images sport. A challenge indeed – especially as there are many together. Design, Production: political and social elements from outside that are influencing AMK Atelier für Marketing our sport. The question is, can we create a meeting structure that is und Kommunikation centralised? It is a big challenge. Amstutzstrasse 14 We must move forward on a sound footing. Thus, our good CH-6010 Kriens, Switzerland Phone +41 (0)41 320 00 72 governance principals must be aligned with those of the Another challenge is how we look for different opportunities Fax +41 (0)41 320 00 79 European Union and fulfil all levels. We must be credible and revenues as we move forward. It is apparent that the [email protected] – and that means matching the requirements of good European TV market is fragmenting, with a declining governance principals in sport. These are having clarity of market since the 1980s, and the trend continues as societal Print: Multicolor Print AG purpose/objectives, code of ethics, stakeholder identification demands change. Some years ago public TV was more than CH-6340 Baar, Switzerland and roles, democracy and minimum standards, delegation 80 percent of the market but has decreased dramatically. and committees, management, juridical/disciplinary Now, depending on the country, it can be about 25 percent, Follow us: procedures, inclusivity and youth engagement, statutes, rules so a huge reduction. The position of athletics in the regular >> Facebook and regulations, and accountability and transparency. events sports TV market is 0.35 percent – all other sports representing a small overall percentage after international There are opportunities for us if we are at this level: at a football, national football leagues and motor sport. Football recent meeting with different sports organisations the EU is obviously huge business and keeps pushing to get more discussed with sport how more economical value can be and more money. If we look at the trends, the Olympic Games created. Indeed, during the financial crisis, sport didn’t has had a lower distribution development compared to the >> Twitter suffer as much as other sectors. World Cup, UEFA Euro and Premier League.
>> YouTube
2 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK Word from the President e Lif or f t Spor our Y
The position of athletics has gone down slightly in distribution development, swimming has gone up and made a step forward, while gymnastics has stayed the same.
What are the consequences for our future? Football will further build its position, many other sports are to re-structure their events, funding problems for smaller events and sports are increasing, and there is the continued influence of the Olympic Games. Athletics needs to protect its unique values, but there is growing pressure on athletics from all sides.
We must ask ourselves the following two questions: is athletics a small big sport – with a long-term product development strategy, comprehensive system covering the entire sport, a sophisticated exploitation system and a challenging market share? – or a big small sport, living from one media rights contract to the next, adapting to outside pressures, driven by tradition and politics and trying to defend its share against other small sports?
We strive to be the former.
So, what must we deliver for television in order to achieve our goals and retain relevance? In short: interesting events for society, sufficient market shares, sufficient advertising revenues and subscriber interest. To do this, we must work hard on how we can create values so television remains a loyal partner to athletics. Our mission continues.
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 3 Your Sport for Life ZURICH 2014 Lavillenie looks forward to Euro Champs
Renaud Lavillenie was the star guest at a European Athletics Championships Zurich 2014 media conference at Letzigrund Stadium.
The pole vault world-record holder was very important to maintain the very high the new high flyer of the event after level I am competing at right now.” His snatching the world record from the coach Philippe D’Encausse supports this legendary Sergey Bubka by clearing attitude, but he is also convinced that 6.16m earlier this year. He will no doubt his athlete is capable of jumping even be one of the most illustrious stars of the higher: “It’s something we are working on championships in Zurich this summer. systematically.”
“I look forward to the championships at It seems that the European Athletics Letzigrund Stadium. Zurich is an athletics Championships in Zürich this summer city, famous for providing athletes with would be the perfect stage for him to the best possible conditions, and also break his outdoor personal best of 6.02m, for celebrating our sport in a very special but we will just have to wait and see. way,” explained the reigning Olympic champion.
Zurich 2014 is clearly the next goal for the French pole vaulter. After Barcelona 2010 with the new surface this June. Extensive and Helsinki 2012, he will be competing biomechanical tests have confirmed the for his third consecutive gold medal at benefits of the new surfacing system. European Athletics Championships. According to Lavillenie, the long run-up “I enjoy outdoor competitions even track at Letzigrund Stadium is another more,” he explained. “There is simply plus. The track at the most recent world more sky, more air, and a greater sense championships in Moscow had been too of freedom than in an indoor arena.” short for him, and he had to settle for He also stressed that atmosphere was an silver. important factor: “In Zurich, we are very close to the crowd, and their energy is During his visit to Letzigrund Stadium, he extremely motivating.” actually took the trouble to measure the run-up track again, just to make sure: Lavillenie used his recent visit to Zurich to “The length of the run-up track is ideal put the championship venue to the test. for me. There are even some metres in He trained in the stadium tunnel and tried reserve.” out the new top-performance track system by CONICA. The Schaffhausen-based At this point, another world record is company will retop the Letzigrund track not a priority for the 27-year-old. “It’s Twitter chat
Renaud Lavillenie testing Ahead of the championships in Zurich, European Athletics out the Letzigrund hosted live twitter chats with some of the most successful Stadium facilities. European athletes in recent years, Renaud Lavillenie, whose handle is @airlavillenie, long jump specialist Ivana Spanovic of Serbia @IvanaSpanovic, and one of the greatest combination sprinters in the world, Churandy Martina (@Martina200m). The chats all took place in English via @Euro_Champs, the official European Athletics Championships Twitter feed and gave fans the opportunity to interact with their idols. The athletes also shared their thoughts about the season and ambitions for Zurich. So stay tuned via our social network channels for more continuous updates as we get closer to the start of the championships.
4 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK ZURICH 2014 e Lif or f t Spor our Y
Röthlin gets first glimpse of the Zurich medals Preparations When all is said and done, finishing on the podium is what matters most, on track and reigning European marathon champion Viktor Röthlin was the first to Zurich 2014 CEO Patrick K. Magyar is lay his eyes on the precious medals for the upcoming European Athletics very pleased with how preparations Championships in Zurich this summer. are progressing ahead of the
Röthlin already has a full set of medals in his “When I was asked to create medals for Zurich European Athletics Championships. cabinet, all of them tokens of his impressive 2014, I immediately decided to go for an unusual athletics career. He won gold at the 2010 design,” he explained. “There is still a lot to be done, of course. One European Athletics Championships in of our tasks for the weeks to come will be to Barcelona, silver at the 2006 European Athletics “I started looking for a subject that incorporates finalise the authorisation procedures for all our Championships in Gothenburg, and bronze at both the host city and the championships. activities. But we are working closely with our the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka. Letzigrund Stadium with its simple architecture partners and with authorities. Therefore, we are and its characteristic light posts was a perfect on course with all our preparations, and we will “My running took me to three championship source of inspiration.” be ready to stage a wonderful championships,” podiums. I feel no pressure whatsoever when he said. thinking about potential medals,” explained the His approach has led to a brilliantly simple, Swiss marathoner when speaking about his goals modern result. The asymmetric shape of the The Zürich 2014 promoters are particularly for the last marathon race of his career, which medals depicts the contours of the legendary pleased with ticket sales so far, with about 50 will take place on the last day of competition. athletics arena. percent of tickets having already been sold and more than a third of all tickets purchased by “I will definitely try my best to win one more in Now, 79 gold, silver, and bronze medals are international fans. Zurich on 17 August, but whatever the outcome being produced on the basis of his draft. Faude of the race; whether or not I will take home & Huguenin SA has been operating since 1868, “The huge demand for tickets shows that our another medal, the championships will mark the and to this date, all products are handcrafted in ticket packages, which include public transport end of a wonderful and very successful time.” Le Locle. fares, are attractive for championship visitors,” Magyar explained. Röthlin was the very first athlete to get a glimpse “The medals for the championships will all be of the medals which will be awarded at the made here. The process involves many working The championships have also created great championships. He visited Swiss-based firm stages and each medal will pass through many interest among potential sponsoring partners. Faude & Huguenin SA in Le Locle to have a look hands before it’s finished,” said the manufactory’s At a recent media conference, promoters at the precious objects. CEO Christian Fontana. announced 10 new official national suppliers, including APG, Brack.ch, Chicco d’Oro, “I feel honoured to have seen the first Zurich Crafting all 237 medals will take weeks. Conceptum Sport Logistics, Condecta, 2014 medals. They look like superb pieces of However, each medal will be given its final touch Hunziker, Klinik Hirslanden / Medbase, Provins, jewellery, befitting the occasion. And it was only minutes before they are put around the Riedel, and Zürcher Wein. All in all, Zurich 2014 fascinating to see how much work goes behind best competitors’ necks. Once the final results can count on the support of 37 sponsors. making each medal.” of an event are known the medals will then be engraved with the names of the future owners, SPAR, Omega, Le Gruyère AOP, Eurovsion, The Zurich 2014 medals have been created by their position, the event they competed in and and UBS are the official international partners Alfredo Häberli. The Zurich-based industrial their performance. for the European Athletics Championships in designer has won many awards and is widely Zurich. known for his simple, minimalistic designs for everyday objects.
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 5 Your Sport for Life ZURICH 2014 Several activities available to the public
In addition to the competitions at Letzigrund Stadium, the City Festival on The House of Switzerland is a sustainable, Sechseläutenplatz and the House of Switzerland will be a magnet for visitors wooden structure, an ideal ambassador during the Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships. for Swiss design and architecture, and a creative platform to help represent Switzerland’s interests on the occasion of Through 12–17 August visitors from Swiss Team at the Olympic Games last major international events. abroad as well as local residents will be winter in Sochi. It will then again be moved able to experience a unique international to the 2015 world exhibition in Milan In addition to the House of Switzerland, sporting festival which will attract and to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. where many top athletes will make worldwide attention. appearances, the City Festival will boast “Sports has a huge potential for various attractions. It will be a place for people to meet, communication purposes, and with relax, and enjoy the party. The House its international scope, Zürich 2014 is “Our partners and sponsors will of Switzerland, provided by Presence a wonderful opportunity to present offer surprising and unusual athletics Switzerland, will represent the heart and the country, its values, and its ideas,” experiences,” said Zürich 2014 Marketing soul of the City Festival. explained Ambassador Nicolas Bideau, Director Christoph Joho. Head of Presence Switzerland, an office of The Swiss Armed Forces will build up the the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign “Visitors will be invited to witness a 100m structure which was also used for the Affairs. race with their ears only, for example. The experiment in a darkened pavilion will provide them with an entirely new perspective of the event – and probably give them goose bumps,” he added.
Every night after 10 p.m., art enthusiasts and athletics fans will also be able to admire video installations on the façade of the Zurich opera house. The City Festival on Sechseläutenplatz will be declared open by top Swiss athletes on Saturday 9 August 2014.
Programme Top artists to join the championships • Tuesday, 12 August: Opening ceremony with On each day of competition, athletes and performers will Many Swiss athletics legends (e.g. Anita DJ Bobo, Freddy Nock, and captivate the crowd at Letzigrund Stadium. Weyermann, Anita Protti, Werner Günthör, Sunrise Avenue Markus Ryffel, and Viktor Röthlin), as well • Wednesday, 13 August: Plasma (theme: Young National and international top artists, such of the championship ceremonies at as hundreds of Zürich 2014 volunteers will Switzerland) as DJ Bobo, Sunrise Avenue, Eliana Burki, Letzigrund Stadium. partake in the ceremony, as well. • Thursday, 14 August: Marc Sway, and Freddy Nock will partake Trauffer (theme: Zurich – the in the championship action. DJ Bobo, internationally known for his On Sunday, 17 August, a 45-minute Gateway to the Swiss Alps) • Friday, 15 August: spectacular acts, will perform together Closing Ceremony with many musicians Marc Sway (theme: The series of performances will start with Cooly, and with tightrope artist and bands will help celebrate the Multicultural Zurich) with the Opening Ceremony at the end Freddy Nock, who might try to challenge championships, and of course send • Saturday, 16 August: of the first day of competition (Tuesday, Renaud Lavillenie. Sunrise Avenue, the Zürich 2014’s best wishes to Amsterdam, DJ Tito Torres (theme: Tribute to the Street Parade) 12 August). Stadium visitors will enjoy a popular rock band from Helsinki will build the next host country of the European • Sunday 17 August: 30-minute multimedia show. “This form a metaphorical bridge from the previous Athletics Championships. Closing ceremony with of merging music, artistry, and sport will host city of the European Athletics Eliana Burki, Plasma, be a first for Switzerland,” said Simon Championships to Zürich 2014. Trauffer, Marc Sway, Caroline Chevin, Alain Ackermann, co-producer and director Clark, 50 flag throwers, and a surprise guest.
6 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK ZURICH 2014 e Lif or f t Spor our Y
Injury and Illness Survey: Participation of all is key to success!
Athletes’ health and safety has always athletes were asked to report their health Volunteers play a vital role in the organisation of major been a top priority for European Athletics. status during the four weeks before the athletics events. It will be no different at the Zurich 2014 championships. European Athletics Championships. The Injuries and Illness Survey, which has Preliminary results suggested that athletes been a regular feature at major European who presented a health problem (injury Taking care of Athletics events, will once again be carried and/or illness) in the month preceding out in the Swiss city when it hosts the the championship were six times more the volunteers biggest track and field event of the year likely to suffer a new health problem in August. (new injury and/or new illness) during the Great food is important for championship. These results still have to hard-working people, The Injuries and Illness (I&I) data have be confirmed by future studies. a principle the Zurich 2014 been collected on a specific population of elite athletes in competition since 2009 by The championships represent a very short promoters take very seriously. European Athletics and 2007 by the IAAF. period in an athletics season. Athletes They will do their utmost to spend more time training than competing, provide volunteers with tasty As part of the survey, the national medical and so this risk is higher during training and healthy food. teams (physicians and/or physiotherapists) periods than during competition periods. are asked for a daily report of all injuries There is limited information on Injury and illnesses occurring during the and Illness risk during out-of-competition “We feel it is important that each championships. periods, so collecting this data during the volunteer can eat at least one warm whole season will largely improve the meal per day“, explains Benedikt Röcker, Data gathering is the first step in the knowledge on athletes’ health problem, responsible for the catering for Zurich determination of the health risk by and will be of importance in developing 2014 volunteers. “We have designed epidemiological studies, the others prevention measures. This represents a the operating hours of the volunteers’ three steps are the determination of major challenge and the collaboration of restaurant at the Volunteer Centre Hardau the I&I mechanisms and risk factors, the national medical teams is vital. accordingly. Warm meals will be served the development of the I&I prevention almost around the clock.” measures and finally the implementation At Zurich 2014, the help and participation of the I&I prevention measures and from all stakeholders namely - athletes, The restaurant is conveniently located, evaluating its effectiveness. coaches, medical staff, the local just a five-minute walk from Letzigrund organisers, national federation, will be Stadium. The food will be prepared by The current I&I surveillance system has vital. the official Zurich 2014 catering partner been improved to collect pre-participation ZFV. “More than 22,000 meals will be health data in order to determine risk For more information, please send an served at Hardau Centre over the course factors of sustaining an injury and/or an e-mail to [email protected] of the championships,” says Röcker. illness during international championships. and/or [email protected] At the Göteborg 2013 European Athletics Volunteers will be able to choose between Indoor Championships and Moscow By Pascal Edouard/Pedro Branco a vegetarian and a meat dish every day. 2013 IAAF World Championships, the When preparing meals great importance has been given to using seasonal and regional products. Therefore all cheese dishes will be prepared with Le Gruyère AOP and it will be interesting to taste this versatile cheese served in different forms.
Volunteers will be treated to some small delights, including chocolate bars, chips, or sandwiches, and of course the ultimate ingredient of a perfect summer: ice cream. In addition, they will be supplied with useful items they might need during their shifts, such as sunscreen, drinking bottles provided by erdgas, tissues, or even shampoo.
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 7 Your Sport for Life BRAUNSCHWEIG 2014
Made in Braunschweig - medals as well as champions
130 grams in weight, seven centimetres in diameter, the colours, of course, gold, silver and bronze. These are the medals Europe’s best will be competing for at the European Athletics Team Championships in Braunschweig.
And the medals have been made right there in the historical city in Lower Saxony, the northern federal state of Germany.
Manufacturers MDM, a Braunschweig- based company, is the global market leader in the business of coin trading peculiarity of the unique European European Athletics Team Championships and part of the family-owned enterprise Athletics Team Championships. And as an event of truly international appeal. Richard Borek, rich in tradition with 121 the lion on the other side symbolises years of customer-oriented mail-order Braunschweig's identity as a historical “It feels good to have the medals business. 800 employees in Germany, site. for Braunschweig 2014 made in France and Austria are providing services Braunschweig.” all around the world international “Almost eight centuries ago, Duke Henry numismatists – those who study or collect the Lion made Braunschweig his residence In addition to the medals for the successful money, coins or medals. and the township flourished. Since then, athletes, MDM will also provide 1,500 Braunschweig has been renowned as the commemorative medals during the 21- “We implicitly wanted MDM to become “Lion City”. Only later, the same Duke 22 June event at the Eintracht Stadium. our partner in medals and we are very founded Munich, Bavaria's metropolitan These will be given to all participants happy with the outcome“, says Stephan city in the south of Germany. and the volunteers as a reminder of the Lemke, head of the Event Management European Athletics Team Championships Group of the Local Organising Committee. MDM representative Bernd Assert said, “We are very proud to have the 2014. These medals are four centimetres “The mission statement 'Feel opportunity to prove our close solidarity in diameter and present the Braunschweig the Team Spirit' underlines the with the city of Braunschweig and with the cathedral aside the lion.
8 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK EUROPEAN ATHLETICS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS e Lif or f t Spor our Y
Ten things about this year's European Athletics Team Championships
This year all host countries are France’s European 100m champion In Gateshead last year, Great staging the European Athletics Christophe Lemaitre is the most Britain’s Olympic and World 5000m 1Team Championships for the first 6successful sprinter in the history of 9and 10,000m champion Mo Farah time. The Super League is in Braunschweig the Championships. He won the 100m ran an astonishing 50.89 seconds for the (Germany), the First League in Tallinn and 200m in Stockholm in 2011 where he final lap of the 5000m which he won in (Estonia), the Second League in Riga (Latvia) set meeting records with 9.95 and 20.28 14:10.00. It was the fastest final 400m he and the Third League in Tbilisi (Georgia). respectively and then retained the 200m has ever run in a 5000m race. crown in Gateshead last summer. The 100m also stayed in the hands of France The Super League in as teammate Jimmy Vicaut won in 10.28. Braunschweig will Promotion back into the Super 10become more than just League for the Czech Republic a sporting event. Twelve countries are 2means a chance for one of Europe’s Of the 40 event records in taking part – Russia, Germany, Great leading male athletes, Pavel Maslak, the the European Athletics Team Britain, France, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, 400m European champion who won the 7Championships, 11 have been Italy, Turkey, Czech Republic, Netherlands World Indoor crown in March, to shine set outside of the Super League. The and Spain – and pupils at 12 local primary in the top division. A year ago he ran the newest of those was Croatian discus schools will be taught about the cultural 200m at the First League in Dublin which thrower Sandra Perkovic’s 65.77m in the and sociological background of those he won in 21.20 on his way to his country Second League in Kaunas last year. nations. Fourth grade pupils will also take finishing top of the group. part in a day of athletics wearing T-shirts in the colours of the 12 countries. After Germany won the Super Braunschweig’s Eintracht League in Leiria in 2009, Stadium has a capacity of 8the Russians have been the 324,500 and is one of the most team to beat having triumphed in popular athletics venues in the country. It the Championships on the next three has staged the German Championships occasions, in Bergen in 2010, Stockholm three times in the last 14 years. in 2011 and then Gateshead last year. Though 12 months ago it was close, with Russia taking the title by just seven points Pavel Maslak will There will be a new face for the from Germany, 354.5 to 347.5. want to continue home crowd to cheer on in the his strong form in Braunschweig. 4women’s javelin in Braunschweig because an era has come to an end at this, the fifth staging of the European Athletics Team Championships. Only one athlete, Germany’s Christina Obergfoll, the javelin world champion, had won at all four of the previous stagings of the competition, but she will be missing because she is pregnant.
One of the stars of the Third League in Tbilisi will be Iceland’s Anita 5Hinriksdottir, who showed a sign of things to come at the Championships in Banska Bystrica last year. Then only 17, she won the 800m in 2:01.17 and the 1500m in 4:16.51. She progressed during the summer to take gold in the 800m at the World Youth Championships in Donetsk and the European Athletics Junior Championships in Rieti.
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 9 Your Sport for Life GOLDEN TRACKS 2014
"Golden Tracks" trophy to be awarded for first time in Baku
The European Athlete of the Year and And so for the first time an iconic trophy strong blue and yellow colours that are Rising Star awards nights have gone for the European Athletes of the Year and meant to symbolise Europe, while the from strength to strength in recent years Rising Stars – “The Golden Tracks” – will be equally strong orange represents the sport – culminating last year in Tallinn when awarded in Baku in October 2014 during of athletics. the event for the first time was shown a gala evening on the Saturday evening of primetime on Estonian Television and the European Athletics Convention. For the trophy, these colours are replaced beamed live across Europe. by gold – the colour every top-class athlete The design of the new trophy will be strives for when competing. Czech Republic and Serbia also showed based on the European Athletics logo. the event live, with highlights on Eurosport VIPs will have the chance to see the News and Icelandic news. News clips and The logo comprises three arcs, each “Golden Tracks” trophy for the first time a highlights programme were distributed representing the basic components of during the Zurich 2014 European Athletics across Europe by our partner Eurovision athletics: running and walking, jumping Championships: the trophy will stand in a and photos made available worldwide and throwing. glass case in the European Athletics Club through Getty Images. throughout the championships. The curve and positioning of the arcs leads Prior to the evening, 16,000 fans voted the eye in three dimensions and creates a Once the championships are over, voting for the awards through social media, feeling of movement. will soon start to see which athletes will while 163 Association Internationale win the European Athlete of the Year and de la Presse Sportive members from 54 The result is best described by the word Rising Star awards and receive the Golden countries also registered their vote. “dynamic,” which, of course, is often used Tracks trophy for the first time in Baku. to describe the sport of athletics as well. European Athletics plans to build upon this European Athletics Golden Tracks Baku success – aiming to further improve the One of the starting points for the logo 2014 will be shown live on Azerbaijan promotion of the event and its perceived was how European Athletics unites three national television, made available live importance to athletes, media, fans and groups – Member Federations, athletes across the continent and will also be television through a strong brand. and fans – across Europe through the streamed live. sport of athletics.
As the arcs can also be seen as lanes on three running tracks, the logotype is sometimes referred to as “United Tracks.” The actual European Athletics logo uses
10 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK TELEVISION e Lif or f t Spor our Y 6.7 million TV audience for Belgrade 2013
The Belgrade 2013 SPAR European Cross Country Championships attracted a television audience of 6.74 million viewers (excluding news audiences) across Europe when it was broadcast in December 2013.
Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, located in Borovets, a ski resort area at Russia, Serbia and Sweden broadcast 1,300m altitude. This will be the highest live and delayed action, highlights course in the history of the SPAR European and sports programme footage of the Cross Country Championships. championships. This will be an additional challenge The cumulated television audience for for athletes who might not be used to Budapest was the second highest total in competing so high up in the mountains the last six years of the event, with only where it is likely to snow. A total of 13 International Broadcasters Velenje 2011’s audience of 8.61 million across Europe showed 36.5 hours of cross topping Belgrade’s audience. We look forward to seeing how Emelia country coverage from the one-day event. Gorecka, who triumphed in the junior The total broadcasting time was more than The next SPAR European Cross Country category in Belgrade, will fare against 42 hours, including 5 hours on Eurosport Championships, the 21st edition, will Amela Terzic and Sifan Hassan as she Asia, the first time a broadcaster outside take place in Samokov, Bulgaria, on 14 competes in the under-23 age group for Europe has shown the event. December 2014. the first time in Samokov.
Television channels in France, Italy, The Bulgarian city is 1000m above sea Spain, Great Britain, Belgium, Finland, level and the course for the event is
Emelia Gorecka triumphed superbly for her last year competing as a junior athlete.
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 11 Your Sport for Life COUNCIL
The Georgian delegation celebrates after being awarded the 2016 European Athletics Youth Championships. Slobodan Brankovic and Veselin Jevrosimovic of the Serbian delegation with President Wirz and Director General Milz.
Belgrade to host 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships and Tbilisi the 2016 Youth Championships
The European Athletics Council awarded the 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships to Belgrade and 2016 European Athletics Youth Championships to Tbilisi at its meeting in Frankfurt.
The cities of Belgrade, Istanbul and Torun strategically influence the development of Preparations are already underway as the presented their candidacies for the 2017 Serbian athletics. city will host the European Athletics Team European Athletics Indoor Championships Championships 3rd League 2014 and and it was decided that the Serbian capital Belgrade has experience in organising then the European Youth Olympic Festival would organise the event. athletics events, most recently with in 2015 for which the new “Athletics the SPAR European Cross Country Stadium of Tbilisi” is being built. The Serbian Athletics Federation Championships in December 2013, which demonstrated their passion and desire were a great success. Georgia believes it is important for their and will use these championships to country to host the 2016 European promote athletics as the most popular The cities of Rieti and Tbilisi then presented Athletics Youth Championships as a step sport in Serbia. their applications for the 2016 European towards integration into Europe through Athletics Youth Championships and it was sport. The venue for the event will be the decided that the Georgian capital would Kombank Arena, a universal hall of sports host the event. which was used for several international events in the recent past. The Georgian delegation impressed the council with a wonderful presentation, In addition the success of athletes such and athletes and fans will discover a as Emir Bekric, Ivana Spanovic and vibrant city with state of the art facilities Amela Terzic added to the hosting of for all those taking part. the championships will continue to
12 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK DIRECTOR GENERAL'S STATE OF THE SPORT e Lif or f t Spor our Y Continuing our progress
It has been a busy few months since my last Inside Track editorial, with events, meetings, decisions, discussions quickly disappearing from the rear-view mirror as we drive forward as an organisation and address the next set of challenges.
The Head Office in Lausanne has worked intended to be in Donetsk, Ukraine. Half-Marathon Championships. very hard on a number of projects As you know, the situation moved to overlapping 2013 and 2014. The ARENA a critical level recently in Ukraine, with In order to further improve the promotion project – the development from scratch of tensions high between the Ukrainian of the European Athlete of the Year government and pro-Russian separatists. awards and their perceived importance to Despite the fact that we must remember athletes, media, fans, television, sponsors the neutrality of sport and the political through a strong brand, we are working situation should not have any influence on on creating an iconic trophy for the men’s our organisation, we were forced to come and women’s European Athletes of the By Christian Milz, Director General of to realise that high risks were existing Year that is the focal point of the brand European Athletics for the athletes and officials involved. for the event held each year. The trophy will be called “The Golden Tracks”. The As a consequence, the Executive Board Golden Tracks will be awarded for the first took the decision to move out from time to the men’s and women’s European Donetsk as hosts of the 1st and 2nd Athletes of the Year in October 2014. The League and to go to Portugal where the design of the trophy is to be based on the an event management portal – has come Member Federation was willing to take European Athletics logo. to fruition. We are pleased with the end over the challenge of organising the result and the new benefits and values it competition in such a short period of time. We look forward to some great events this brings to our Member Federations and all We are very thankful to the Portuguese summer: firstly with the European Athletics stakeholders involved. Federation and to Ribeira Brava for their Team Championships Super League, 1st, great flexibility and efforts. 2nd and 3rd Leagues (preparations are The new website, which was launched going well and we expect a great success) last October, continues to take shape. In line with our long-term “Your Sport for and then, of course, with the Zurich 2014 Again, it has brought many improvements Life” strategy with twin pillars, we have European Athletics Championships. for athletics fans, Member Federations, had an intensive period with regards to stakeholders, media and event organisers. our Education Programme. We organised There are several facets that make-up The next step for the website is the the first High Performance Conference what promises to be a memorable event. integration of live results, live streaming in November, then the Health and Well- We have strong ticket sales so far, with and live blogging of our top events on being Conference in January and, finally, about 50 percent of tickets sold by the the homepage of the European Athletics the CEO Conference in March. At the end of May. We will have a stunning website. We will see this in action for latter, participants dug deep into the Market Square, located in the city centre the first time in Braunschweig at the subjects of both high performance and on the Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich with European Athletics Team Championships grassroots development. Regarding the the House of Switzerland open for all Super League. CEO Conference, there was a unanimously to visit. For anyone with a ticket to the positive response from participants to championships, free second-class public We recently witnessed an excellent the conference as priority was given to transport on the Swiss rail network will European Cup Winter Throwing in Leiria, discussions and exchanges of views, be included, throughout the country, an Portugal, in March, and, more recently, with a key point being the facilitating initiative in line with our Green Inspiration the ECCC Track & of group discussions between Member philosophy and goals. Field Senior Group Federations of a similar size, structure and A & B event and environment. Of course, we also face challenges, for the European Cup example with the high number of hotels 10,000m in Skopje. We continue to move forward with a and the warm-up venues to be connected number of other projects. We are working with shuttles. But we are working hard One of the next to improve the links between our Member with our Zurich counterparts and we look competitions we are Federations and mass participation race forward to what should be a fantastic organising in early organisers as we create a calendar of 22nd edition of our flagship event. July is the European recognised/certified races and additional Cup Combined benefits and services in favour of the Before long though, sadly, Zurich will also Events. The Super Member Federations, organisers and be a distant memory and we will then shift League is scheduled runners. We are also working on the our attention to the Samokov 2014 SPAR to take place in details of our Mass Participation race in European Cross Country Championships. Torun, Poland, Amsterdam during the 2016 European It looks like the next six months will be just while the 1st and Athletics Championships that will take as busy as the previous ones. 2nd Leagues were place just after the European Athletics
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 13 Your Sport for Life ATHLETICS COMMUNITY
WIWA 2014: Promoting a network of women leaders
Networking, self-belief, and mentoring were the dominate themes at the second Women in World Athletics (WIWA) seminar hosted by European Athletics and British Athletics in Kenilworth, England, from 4-7 April.
Attracting 52 women from 22 countries, the three-day seminar programme featured lectures on leadership development, inspirational guest speakers and a half-day project to create video advertisements on key leadership roles within athletics.
Health & Well-Being In her welcome speech, European Athletics Council member Sylvia Barlag called on Conference - Marseille the participants to aspire to leadership roles and express their ambitions and then emphasised the long-term nature With European nations increasingly safe and well organised. The remaining of European Athletics support for women facing public health challenges, participants took part in workshops leaders. including childhood and adult obesity, on developing strategies to make diabetes and heart disease, the January federations important actors in the “We want to create a network of conference featuring more than 130 health market, many sharing examples ambitious women that will sustain itself representatives from 48 Member and experiences of initiatives that have and grow by a chain reaction,” she said, Federations addressed ways the athletics increased membership numbers and “We need to build relationships during family can help to deal with these led to the creation of new partnerships this seminar and through peer-to-peer problems. One way is for federations to with sponsors and other organisations. mentoring so that more women can have cooperate with mass participation event The conference featured a keynote the confidence to apply their abilities.” organisers and others in the running presentation on Friday evening by Mme industry to make recreational running an Roselyne Bachelot, a former French One of Britain’s highest ranking sport even bigger part of peoples’ lives. To this minister for Health and Sport who has leaders, Baroness Sue Campbell, who end, half of the conference participants been instrumental in putting public chairs the elite sport umbrella body UK discussed a set of standards to ensure health firmly on the agenda of sports Sport, then described her own career that road races in every country are organisations in her country. journey, including her role in the London 2012 Olympic Games, highlighting the
14 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK ATHLETICS COMMUNITY e Lif or f t Spor our Y
WIWA 2014: Promoting a network of women leaders
importance of trust and authenticity and Conference, which featured keynote what she called the ‘four Rs of leadership’: speaker Alan Bell, one of the world’s resilience, resourcefulness, responsiveness top starters, and a selection of thematic and responsibility. workshops.
“Leadership is not about being out at the For the final half-day of work, the front, it is about galvanising individuals participants were again assigned to to get the best out of them,” she said. groups and given their video project. The “Don’t accept that what has been done aim was to give them the perspective before is the best way. Everybody leads in of decision makers and the criteria for different and very distinct ways.” selecting individuals to fill key roles.
Saturday’s work was chaired by Stuart The WIWA programme is a five-year series West of the Derby Business School at the of seminars initiated by British Athletics University of Derby, who led a breakout as a part of the pre-legacy for the 2017 group work session on profiling leadership IAAF World Championships in Athletics in roles before moving on to discuss theories London. Top women officials and other and techniques of leadership. women aspiring to leadership positions from Europe and around the world are Professor Christine Coupland of invited to attend based on nominations Loughborough University spoke about the by their Member Federations. meaning and nature of leadership and the elements of gender that are involved. All participants from 2013 and 2014 will be invited to a follow-up seminar in the Guest speaker Dr. Emma Rosamond, a next two years. senior manager in the oil and gas industry as well as a qualified sports coach and Researchers at the University of Derby are official, told the story of her multifaceted currently planning a long-term research career, which included transitions from project to track the career paths of the gymnast to coach to scientist to business participants and the development of the leadership roles. support network established during the first two seminars. The day ended with Professor Coupland returning to the stage to talk about career In addition to European Athletics and planning and mentoring. British Athletics, the WIWA programme is supported by UK Sport and the IAAF On the Sunday the WIWA delegates took Regional Development Centre in Moscow. part in the 11th British Athletics Officials’
Future of One-Day Meetings discussed in Barcelona
European Athletics organised The participants discussed ways system participated in the seminar. meetings are at the heart of our a One-Day Meetings to better link championships sport. They are the windows Seminar in partnership with and meetings as well as the “It was an ideal opportunity for where we can test waters, and try idea of experimenting with new the meeting organisers to get a out new things in order to expand EuroMeetings in Barcelona, competition formats. common understanding of our the appeal and understanding of Spain, from 4 – 6 April with common goal – development our sport. 36 meeting organisers in European Athletics 1st Vice of the sport of athletics. The attendance to discuss the President Jose Luis de Carlos, discussions were constructive “Some very good ideas were who chairs the Competition and fruitful. I do hope that the shared during the one-and-a-half future of athletics meetings in Commission, said, “We participants benefitted from the day seminar in Barcelona. I hope Europe. are delighted that so many seminar.” the participants benefitted from representatives from important the opportunity and will continue meetings from both European Rajne Soderberg, President of to serve the sport in an even better Athletics and the IAAF permit EuroMeetings said, “One-day way in future.”
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 15 Your Sport for Life ATHLETICS COMMUNITY
30-31 March
The CEO Conference was timed to coincide with the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships.
Delivering on our 'Your Sport for Life' vision
Discussion of the practical implementation of European Athletics’ twin-pillar, ‘Your Sport for Life’ strategy dominated the 9th European Athletics CEO Conference 30-31 March in Copenhagen, Denmark, which attracted a total of 89 presidents, general secretaries and other top executives representing all 50 European Athletics Member Federations.
Hosted with the support of the Danish Athletic Detailed reports from each of the groups were or sport politics,” he said. “If athletics can provide Federation and the IAAF Regional Development shared in a plenary session on the second morning a product that is understandable and people want Centre in Moscow, the conference was timed of the conference and these were followed by to watch, the partnership between athletics and to coincide with the IAAF World Half Marathon an open discussion with a panel comprising television will be successful.” Championships, which, in addition to the elite European Athletics Council members and the race, included a mass participation event for more conference organising team. Developing the relevance of the athletic than 30,000 runners and neatly demonstrated brand for event spectators, media audiences how athletics serves both the high-performance “A frequent feedback from our conferences and and participants was the theme of Magyar’s and the recreational-fitness aspects of the sport. seminars is that there is not enough time for group presentation, during which he shared his discussions and the important communication experiences promoting Zurich’s Weltklasse, the Turning the traditional agenda upside down, the that goes on in that format,” said European top IAAF Diamond League meeting, and the 2014 delegates were assigned to five workshop groups Athletics Director General Christian Milz. “For this European Athletics Championships. after only brief introduction presentations on the reason the largest part of this year’s conference first morning of the conference. In an effort to was allocated to the workshop sessions, which “We need much, much more profound research ensure that the members of each group faced addressed our two strategic priorities, high- and a better understanding of what the similar circumstances and issues in their work performance and grass roots, and it seems all the consumers think and not what we believe they back home, the group allocations were based on delegates appreciated the approach.” should think,” he concluded. “But I am sure we the size and 2013 placing in the European Team can succeed if we work together.” Championships of the delegates’ federations In his presentation, Jörg analysed the television market in Europe, which provides the bulk of the This year’s CEO Conference weekend also After examining priorities, challenges and funding for elite events and the work of European included a special seminar for 20 newly appointed good practice ideas for managing both high- Athletics. He concluded that although profound Member Federation leaders, which took place on performance and grass roots athletics for more changes across all the media create challenges 28 and 29 March. Led by Director General Milz, than three hours, the delegates came back and pressure, athletics has strengths to build on it focused on the role of the European Athletics together in the afternoon for keynote presentations – if the sport as a whole can keep in mind that Head Office in Lausanne and the responsibilities by the former European Broadcasting Union viewers want to be entertained. of the Member Federations. Director of Sports Rights, Marc Jörg, and the CEO of the 2014 European Athletics Championships in “The finger on the remote control button does The next edition of the biennial CEO Conference Zurich, Patrick Magyar. not care about how things were done in the past will be in the spring of 2016 in Lausanne. or complicated regulations or calendar constraints
16 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK ATHLETICS COMMUNITY e Lif or f t Spor our Y Empowering young volunteers
Grassroots projects in athletics will be the main theme of the fourth European Athletics-UNESCO Young Leaders Forum, which will take place from 11 to 14 August in conjunction with the 2014 European Athletics Championships in Zurich and is expected to attract more than 60 participants.
The Forum will be organised by European Director General Christian Milz. “Of Prior to arrival in Zurich, each of the Athletics and the United Nations course, this is good for the sport, but it is participants will have prepared a multi- Education, Scientific and Cultural also good for the individuals as it will help media display that will be exhibited during Organization with support from the Zurich them develop skills, gain experience and the Forum. All the participants will vote 2014 local organising committee and build networks.” on the best display and prizes will be Erdgas, the LOC’s partner for volunteering awarded. and sustainability. The Forum programme includes speakers and discussion groups covering topics The Forum is a follow-up to successful Delivering on our 'Your Sport for Life' vision All 50 Member Federations have been such as issues in sport, leadership, project forums staged with UNESCO’s invited to send one participant between management and project funding, as support during the European Athletics the ages of 18 and 26, with expenses well as workshops on successful projects Championships in Gothenburg (2006) covered by European Athletics, and delivered in the past by members of and Barcelona (2010) and Helsinki (2012). many federations are sending additional the European Athletics Young Leaders participants at their own expense. Community. In 2011 European Athletics and UNESCO renewed their partnership, first signed “Our aim is to inspire and equip young After the daily working sessions, the Forum in 2006. Over the last eight years the people who could become leaders to participants will attend the first three two organisations have cooperated on a design and deliver athletics-related projects evening sessions of the Championships at number of promotional, youth and anti- in cooperation with their federations, the Letzigrund Stadium. doping projects. clubs or events,” says European Athletics
Participants from the Young Leaders Forum in Helsinki 2012.
INSIDE TRACK 1|14 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 17 Your Sport for Life FEDERATION FOCUS Norway's record relay
May 2014 was a month with an accent on relays. On the weekend of 24th and Ten days earlier, an equally impressive 25th, with the inaugural IAAF World Relay Championships, where three world record was set, this time in the cooler records were set in balmy Nassau, Bahamas. climes of Norway, where the 21st edition of the TINEstafett, the world’s largest relay, attracted no less than 103,500 participants.
For Karin Eftedal, a project leader at the Norwegian athletics federation, it was a moment to savour. Retiring as the leader of the event she helped create in 1993 as a way to draw spectators to the national athletics championships in her home town of Tønsberg, south of Oslo, she was handing over an institution that is in more than good health.
“With this year’s entry, more than 1.3 million Norwegians have taken part,” says Karin. “Plus, probably an equal number of parents, classmates and friends have come to watch and cheer. That’s not bad for a country of five million inhabitants.”
The concept is simple: there are four categories for the 6th through 9th school classes (12 to 15 years old); teams are made up of five boys and five girls, each running a 200m leg; and it all takes place on a single day, which the kids get off from school.
The TINEstaffet in figures
Length of each 200m Registered participants 1993-2014 133,644 teams) (that’s
relay leg Teams that run in that Teams timed heat each 8-12
18 www.european-athletics.org 1,336,440 FEDERATION FOCUS e Lif or f t Spor our Y
120 000 103,500 100 000 But the behind the scenes organisation is something else. Teachers give their 80 000 free time to select the teams, supervise training and organise transportation. 60 000 Club volunteers organise the competition 40 000 at tracks and other venues throughout the country (some of which were still 20 000 10,940 covered with snow on race day this year!). T-shirts, a different colour for each 0 year, are distributed to every participant. 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Communication is through social media and a dedicated website, which includes an online entry system, checklists for TINEstaffet Participation 1993-2014 everyone involved and even training and diet tips. have either done it, watched it, helped Asked about her fondest memories of the Since its creation, the event has been organise it or they are related to someone event, Karin recalls “of course, thinking strongly supported by Tine, the largest who has. Say the word Tine and people about the millions of hours of volunteer dairy product cooperative in the country. immediately start talking about the relay. work given over years is very inspirational, Go to any shopping centre in the country and topping 100,000 entries for the first “Thanks to Karin, her team, Tine and the and you will see the kids, and even people time in our 20th anniversary year was thousands of school and club volunteers in their 20s and 30s, wearing the t-shirt certainly exciting, it had long been our for a fantastic job for athletics, year in from when they ran.” dream to reach that number.” and year out,” says Norwegian Federation President Svein Arne Hansen. “They With assistance from Karin’s team in “But for me, it was really special in the show what can be accomplished through Norway, the event model has been very first year when I saw the faces of so cooperation between the sport, schools adopted by the federation in Estonia, many exited children enjoying themselves and a committed partner.” where this year more than 10,000 children and having fun through sport. I remember took part at 21 venues, and as far away as thinking: ‘this is really great’. I still get that “Quite simply, the relay has become a Spain’s Canary Islands. feeling every year.” part of Norwegian culture. Most people
260 Venues used in 2014 Number of schools Number of schools of in 2014 (56% participating in the country) all schools
Kilometres run in the TINEstafett since 267,288 1993 (6.7 times around the world) 1,608
www.european-athletics.org 19 Your Sport for Life COMMUNICATION 2013 Statistics Yearbook & Athletics Review published
European Athletics is delighted to present Review, while continuing to honour the the second edition of the Statistics importance of maintaining a meticulous Yearbook 2013 and ‘Athletics Review statistical record of our events and 2013’ published in association with competitions in a separate booklet. MONDO. Both publications have been widely Starting with the inaugural edition last distributed amongst media, our year, in place of the Yearbook we now commercial partners, our Member produce two complementary publications: Federations, sports organisations and a glossy and easy to read periodical and athletics fans all around the world. an annual statistics book. Publications can be ordered by sending a We have chosen to do this to better filled out order form here: showcase all our events and activities www.bit.ly/1n4dtBY through text and photos in the Athletics
Going live! The new European Athletics website, which was launched in October 2013, continues to take shape. The next big step for www.european-athletics.org is the integration of live results, live streaming and live blogging of our top events on the website homepage in time for this summer’s events.
European Athletics will cover the Braunschweig 2014 European Athletics Team Championships and Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships like never before.
Live streaming brought to you by our International Partner SPAR and in conjunction with Eurovision will be immediately present when you land on the European Athletics website.
Alongside the live streaming will be a live blogging tool that will bring together all the best news, video interviews, photos, tweets and blog comments regarding the event.
And starting from this summer’s events, live results from all our major championships will feature – making our website, whether it be on website, mobile or tablet, a completely live experience.
20 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|14 INSIDE TRACK