Your Sport for Life

Newsletter of European Athletics 1 | 13 June INSIDE TRACK Your Sport for Life WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT Inclusive growth

IMPRESSUM the way forward European Athletics Association Européenne d’Athlétisme President: for our sport Hansjörg Wirz Vice Presidents: Jose Luis de Carlos Karel Pilny Jean Gracia Hansjörg Wirz | President, European Athletics Director General: Christian Milz

Office: Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 18 At the mid-point of my final four-year term as European Our long-term strategy is driven by the need to raise CH-1003 Lausanne Athletics President, I have recently had the honour of awareness of our sport to address these challenges. In Switzerland reporting to our Skopje 2013 Congress and also to the IAAF order for this to happen, our particular needs as an Area Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 50 Fax +41 (0)21 313 43 51 ahead of its August Congress that our organisation is in a Association of the IAAF must be respected, so we are able [email protected] healthy situation, having strengthened our position on the to develop athletics according to our needs. This needs to be www.european-athletics.org continent in the last two years. We successfully realised the done in line with the IAAF strategic plan, and with increased full competition programme in 2011 and 2012. In addition, cooperation between Area Associations, with knowledge and “Inside Track” is published by European Athletics European Athletics continued with its financial support best practice sharing. With the IAAF’s intent to implement within the domains of competition, education, anti-doping a share of responsibility according to the needs of each Co-ordination: and development activities (youth, women, coaches). Despite Area Association, this leads to two principal directions for James Mulligan, Aditya Kumar the economic challenges in Europe, the financial situation European Athletics: one in the field of high performance; European Athletics Communication Department of European Athletics has remained stable over the last two and the other one in the domain of services by athletics in Phone +41 (0)21 313 43 57 years. And with our Member Federation Support System, we favour of society including health and well-being and youth. [email protected] have continued to provide a unique and exclusive way to give the chance to our members to produce tailor-made solutions We must secure and manage the high quality of the European Text, Photos: for the development of the sport in their own country. Athletics competition programme, strengthen and boost the James Mulligan, Aditya Kumar, Bill Glad, Phil Minshull, performance level of European athletes, secure an efficient Hansjörg Wirz, Christian Milz, We are well-equipped to address the challenges our sport and attractive one-day meeting programme, integrate and Getty Images, Mark Shearman, faces. The situation in Europe is that there is a saturated create competitive and well-being activities, develop a strong LOCs of Zurich 2014, and highly competitive market. Athletics is sometimes seen brand identity for athletics and maximise its exposure on 2013, Rieti 2013 as a declining, purely high-performance sport. And more television. With the European Athletics Youth Championships Design, Production: and more, there are external influences such as the Olympic to take place every two years from 2016 following a decision AMK Atelier für Marketing movement, European Union and consequences of the Lisbon by the recent Congress, European Athletics is very close to und Kommunikation Treaty of Sport that have an effect on the value of European meeting its target to have a full and balanced competition Amstutzstrasse 14 athletics. We also face an unsatisfactory trend concerning programme in all age groups that allows complete CH-6010 Kriens, Switzerland Phone +41 (0)41 320 00 72 diminishing athletics facilities. development and control from the bottom up. Fax +41 (0)41 320 00 79 [email protected]

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2 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK Word from the President e Lif or f t Spor our Y

Our Member Federations must have high the creation of a clear management structure with In the next few months our thoughts turn to quality management and efficient support proper coordination between all different levels how best we can benefit from the fantastic year and communication tools. We aim to continue from Congress to Commissions, the aspiration of athletics in 2012. The London Olympics was with our commitment to social responsibility, to transparency, wanting to avoid conflicts of a great shop window and we have to be sure to with the integration of women and promotion interest, working towards a higher level of audit capitalise on this. Göteborg 2013 had extremely of sustainability initiatives, and to create in Switzerland and the commercial registration strong broadcast audiences from international programmes to attract the future generation. with authorities to ensure the highest recognition broadcasters throughout Europe and proved to of European Athletics in business and commerce. be an excellent event. Gateshead 2013 is another European Athletics continues also with its financial As a result, with our organisation continuing milestone for us to see how strongly athletics is support in the fight against and prevention of its progress, we updated the European Athletics ingrained in the mind of the European sports fans doping. European Athletics has made a strong Constitution and Rules and Regulations at this following the Olympics. We have been encouraged contribution with its in-competition testing (as Congress in Skopje. so far by the interest shown by the British public out-of-competition testing is the responsibility ahead of the event. Likewise, we see a promising of the national anti-doping agencies and the As was communicated at our Congress in London situation regards public interest in the Zurich IAAF). In 2011 and 2012, we conducted about in 2011, a key objective was to review the whole 2014 European Athletics Championships 1,400 urine tests and more than 600 blood tests governance of the European Athletics structure, during European Athletics events. The European including the Constitution, regulations and Our efforts to reach recognition, competence, Athletics Anti-Doping Education Programme organisational structure, to bring European credibility, integration and growth will lead to a hosted activities at the 2011 European Athletics Athletics in line with modern, future-oriented higher awareness by the public and the society as U23 Championships and European Athletics and efficient associations. This led to the Skopje well as by the institutions and political authorities. Junior Championships, where the aim was to help Congress dissolving the use of the term 'Committee' We will keep coordinating all procedures and athletes gain better understanding of doping- and replacing it with 'Commission'. Henceforth, activities within the organisation and also in the related issues and their own responsibilities. the European Athletics Competition Committee market to reach a stronger position for athletics This programme will continue at the European and Development Committee will be known as in Europe and inside the European Athletics Athletics U23 Championships in and the Competition Commission and Development family. We do this with the aim to ensure athletics European Athletics Junior Championships in Commission, and the Council will in the future continues to be “Your Sport for Life!” Rieti this summer. appoint all members of all Commissions in order to secure quality and flexibility, taking into account Underpinning our work has been the continued the consultancy function of the positions. All these development of good governance: in short, Commissions will consult the Executive Board “doing and managing the right things the right and/or the Council with all decisions implemented way” in all areas, in order to face current and by the Head Office in Lausanne. future challenges and requirements. This includes

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 3 Your Sport for Life

Betty Heidler of Germany, Olha Saladuha of the Ukraine, local heroes Robbie Grabarz and Mo Farah Gateshead gets chance to show the best of European Athletics

To anyone not knowing much about athletics, Gateshead may seem like an unusual place to stage the sport’s leading continental team competition but the town has a special place in the hearts of athletics fans, not just British but across Europe, writes Phil Minshull.

event on the international calendar and, Evidence of how quickly the women’s pole to quote a phrase first used by the local developed can be seen when looking at Newcastle Evening Chronicle, gave the the next two world records in the stadium, stadium credibility as a major sporting which also came in that event and were venue. achieved by the Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva, who went over 4.82m The 1989 European Cup final was staged in 2003 and 4.87m the following year. there and it was memorably won by Great Built in 1955, the Gateshead International Britain men’s team for the first time, a The most recent world record in the Stadium has been staging international performance marked by victories for stadium was Asafa Powell’s 100m mark of athletics meetings since 1961, no less than European champions, either before or 9.77 in 2006, which officially equalled his five world records have been set there, and after the triumph, such as Linford Christie, own time from the year before. it was also the stage for two memorable John Regis, Tom McKean, European Cups, the predecessor of the and Steve Backley. The stadium has been extensively European Athletics Team Championships. refurbished in recent years and now can “The history of the European Cup marked seat 11,800 people, and it’s expected Consequently, Gateshead is a fitting host a new course in this edition… the British that every one of those seats will be filled to succeed Leiria, Bergen and found themselves with an opportunity in the wake of the British success at the and stage the fourth edition of the of a lifetime, winning the European Cup London 2012 Olympic Games in which Championships on 22-23 June. at home, and the opportunity wasn’t the host nation took six medals. wasted,” commented the outstanding It will also become the first venue to stage book on the history of the Cup that It is likely that most of those British European Athletics’ top flight national was produced by the Spanish athletics medallists will be in action as the nation team competition, regardless of the actual federation seven years later. tries to repeat the triumphs of their name or format, for a third time. predecessors in 1989 and 2000, and the History repeated itself in 2000 when the double Olympic gold medallist and 2012 Gateshead, which nestles by the River Cup returned to Gateshead and Great European Athlete of the Year Mo Farah has Tyne in the north east of England, really Britain’s men again won, after a thrilling included the meeting in his summer plans. entered the public consciousness as a contest in which they came home in front location for top class athletics in 1974 by just half-a-point from Germany, and “I am delighted that Mo Farah has when the British international distance despite ostensibly fielding a weakened made himself available for the European runner Brendan Foster established the team. Athletics Team Championships,” said Gateshead Games. Great Britain’s head coach Peter Eriksson However, athletics fans in that part of recently. Not only was he instrumental in creating England had to wait more than 20 years the meeting but fresh from winning the after Foster’s feat before they witnessed Farah won over 5000m at the 1974 European Athletics Championships another world record; one eventually Championships in 2009 and 2010 5000m title just a few weeks before, and coming in 1995 when Czech pole vaulter although, at the time of writing, he had with the meeting being televised live, Daniela Bartova scaled 4.14m in what was not announced which event he would Foster ran a 3000m world record in 7:35.2. then a fledgling event. contest this year. The Gateshead Games became an annual

4 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK Gateshead 2013 e Lif or f t Spor our Y Can Russia make it a three-in-a-row?

Russia has dominated the last two editions of the European Athletics Team Championships and now the pressure is on to see whether they can repeat their success in Gateshead and “To be able to field your strongest team Belarus make it a hat-trick. is what any head coach would want in order to continue building on our GB team successes. To have a double Olympic In Stockholm two years ago, Russia this year’s hosts Great Britain have never champion lining up will be great for the France accumulated a record total of 385 finished lower than fourth, while France team and the home crowd, and I expect points as they put 52.5 points between and Ukraine have had their moments in Great Britain to be in the mix for the themselves and their nearest rivals the sun at the Championships. title across a weekend of great athletics Germany, the winners of the inaugural action.” Germany edition of the Championships in 2009. France’s Olympic and European pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie has However, for Britain to actually become It put in the shade the Russian’s total of the Championships penciled in as one of Europe’s leading athletics nation, and 379.5 points in 2010 when there was an the key competitions in his 2013 summer dethrone holders Russia, they will have to Great Britain even bigger margin of difference, 62.5 programme. make an improvement on their showing and NI points, between themselves and Great at the first three European Athletics Team Britain. At the other end of proceedings, fighting Championships, where they finished third, to avoid relegation will be the three newly second and fourth respectively. With six 2012 European champions promoted teams: Turkey, and and eight London 2012 Olympic Games Norway. This year’s European Athletics Team Greece winners, not to mention a myriad of other Championships will be the first to be held medallists, Russia will start as favourites Turkey are one of the emerging powers since 2011 as they take a 12-month hiatus once again, and they will be determined to of European Athletics while Greece and during Olympic year. put up a good showing ahead of staging Norway were relegated from the top flight the IAAF World Championships on home in 2010 but bounced straight back. In 2014, they will be staged in the German territory in later in the summer, city of Braunschweig and then move to but other countries will want to have a The two countries who potentially could Russia and Cheboksary, another iconic city say in the outcome of who gets crowned be drawn into the battle to avoid the drop in athletics circles, the following year. Europe’s number one athletics nation. to the First League in 2014 are and Norway Belarus who finished one place above The Championships have already Germany showed that Russia can be the ‘relegation zone’ in 2010 and 2011 proved to be a huge success since their beaten when they won four years ago, respectively. inauguration in 2009, generating huge TV audiences across all of Europe, and European outdoor and indoors 110m hurdles champion Sergey Shubenkov of Russia. interest right the way around the world, Poland thanks to its unique competition format of having men and women compete together for one overall title. Russia Events at Gateshead are expected to increase the profile of the Championships, and European Athletics, even further.

Many of Europe’s top athletes, including Spain medallists from the London 2012 Olympic Games and 2012 European Athletics Championships, have already confirmed they will be showing their loyalty towards Ukraine their countries and European Athletics’ Member Federations by supporting this event and using it as a key part of their preparations as they build up towards the IAAF World Championships in Moscow Turkey this summer.

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 5 Your Sport for Life European Athletics Team Championships

Czech Republic, Portugal and Balkan battle aim to bounce straight back set to ensue Four years after Dublin staged a highly regarded SPAR European Cross Country Championships at Santry Demesne, top class continental competition returns to by the Baltic that corner of the Irish capital when the Morton Stadium in Santry plays host to The Steponas Darius and 12 countries with ambitions of getting promotion. Stasys Gire· nas Stadium in Lithuania’s second city Czech Republic, country’s vest again; 2012 Olympic Games 400m Kaunas will be familiar Portugal and hurdles bronze medallist Zuzana Hejnova, and Sweden were throwers Ladislav Prášil, Lukas Melich and 2012 to not just the host relegated from European javelin champion Vitezslav Vesely could all team but to a number the European be in potentially a very strong team. of the international Athletics Team competitors from the Championships two years ago and will be aiming to Portugal will have all-round strength, particularly bounce straight back. in the distance events, while Sweden has talented eight teams contesting jumpers such as their prodigious pole vaulter Angelica European Athletics Team Indeed, it will be no surprise if this trio do finish in the Bengtsson who, like Maslák, was voted the 2012 Championships Second first three in Dublin and clinch their place among the European Athletics Rising Star. League. 12 teams that will compete in the German town of Braunschweig, which will stage the 2014 European However, it will not be a three-horse race in Dublin, Athletics Team Championships this time next year. an appropriate metaphor considering the country’s love of equestrian events. They have become the ‘yo-yo’ nations of the Championships, all three having been relegated Romania just missed out on promotion by 7.5 points following the inaugural Championships in 2009 and two years ago in the Turkish city of Izmir and will be then earning promotion the following year before in the fray again while and should dropping down again after events in Stockholm two have big names in their teams, with the former able The venue hosted the 2005 European years ago. to call upon various members of the Borlee family and Athletics Junior Championships and the latter likely to have London 2012 Olympic Games then the 2009 European Athletics All three nations should have a plethora of their top hammer champion Krisztian Pars in their team. U23 Championships and so, for a stars available to achieve their second promotion. gifted few, this will be their third major The loyal Pars is unbeaten in the European Athletics European Athletics event in Kaunas Czech Republic’s 2012 European Athletics Rising Star Team Championships First League having won on during the last eight years. Pavel Maslák, the reigning European 400m champion, three occasions from 2009 to 2011. both indoors and outdoors, should be wearing his Croatia and Slovenia were relegated from the First League two years ago but and will be optimistic that they can regain their status but this League Slovakia have big promotion hopes could turn into an intriguing battle between this pair and their fellow It was a mild surprise that Slovakia propped up the Second League in the Balkan nation Serbia. Serbian city of Novi Sad two years ago but the old saying of ‘every cloud has a Slovenia, of course, has a fine group silver lining’ has never been so apt as Banská Bystrica, a city well-known for its of throwers which include not only love of the sport, has become the host of this year’s Third League. the 2008 Olympic hammer champion Primoz Kozmus but the likes of Barbara Spiler and Martina Ratej while Croatia The city stages events; with hammer thrower Marcel Lomnicky and has the London 2012 Olympic Games a world famous the well-known Vel'áková sisters, in the horizontal discus champion Sandra Perkovic and indoor jumps, having already produced marks which put 2010 European Athlete of the Year competition every them among Europe’s top performers. Blanka Vlasic to call upon. year, which is also a European Athletics Indoor Permit Meeting. Behind them, Latvia look the most likely nation to However, Serbia went close to getting accompany them, and 2012 European Athletics promoted in 2010 and 2011 and Banská Bystrica’s Stadión SNP Stiavnicky has also Championships heptathlon bronze medallist Laura should be contenders again in Kaunas, staged numerous European Athletics outdoor Ikauniece could be pressed into action in several while hosts Lithuania will be hoping competitions in the past, including the 2009 events. that an enthusiastic home crowd will European Athletics Team Championships Second help them regain the First League spot League, so there will be no shortage of organisational However, the competition may still be fierce for the they occupied in 2010, with 2012 and technical expertise. second promotion place with Moldova, Iceland, European Athletics Championships Bosnia and Azerbaijan all prospective contenders. medallists Raivydas Stanys and Lina Slovakia are the obvious favourites to go up from Grincikaite assured a heroes’ welcome. the 15 teams and have plenty of depth across the

6 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK ZURICH 2014 e Lif or f t Spor our Y

European Athletics Championships attracting wide sponsor interest

The Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships is continuing to attract strong interest from potential sponsors, with many famous brands already signed up as partners for the event.

Alongside International Partners SPAR, of 600,000 Swiss francs from 2011 to (within Switzerland). Tickets for seats OMEGA, LE GRUYÈRE AOP, UBS and 2014 in order to promote projects in the in two family sectors are available at a EUROVISION, many renowned brands area of professional sport, sports for all, discounted rate (50%) for children under have already agreed partnerships: Erdgas, and athletics youth programmes. 16 years of age. Puma, SBB, ZVV, Implenia and Toyota, as National Partners, and Victorinox, Hansruedi Müller, CEO of the A week package includes 10 individual Habegger (Technical Services), Nordic Leichtathletik EM 2014 AG, said, "A major tickets (one ticket per session. There will Sport, Graphax, ZFV, Securitas and Zurich event, such as Zurich 2014, could simply be morning and evening sessions from Airport (National Suppliers). not be organised without the support of Tuesday to Friday), and can therefore be public institutions. It is essential that the used by various visitors. To date, 20 sponsoring agreements have authorities are as much convinced as we been signed (5 international partners, are that the championships, Zurich, and The transferable week packages allow 7 national partners, and 8 national Switzerland go well together. And that buying tickets at an advantageous price, suppliers). they feel that Zurich 2014 is an event and will be available for purchase only worth supporting. Fortunately, this has until the end of September 2013. As of "Further partnerships are in the been the case." November 2013 – once the competition pipeline," said Zurich 2014 Marketing timetable is finalised – sales of day passes Director Christoph Joho. "Thanks to an Ticket Pre-Sales: will begin. overwhelming echo, we can assume that Great Week Packages we will exceed our initial goals with regard The public sales of Zürich 2014 week During the championships, the Letzigrund to sponsoring." packages started in April. The week Stadium will be able to accommodate packages were made available for the 25,000 spectators per day. Tickets for The Zurich 2014 European Athletics members of Swiss Athletics and Zürich 17,650 seats will be on sale. However, Championships will take place 12-17 2014 Friends through a special pre- 4,300 of these seats are reserved for August. sale a few months in advance. “So far, international federations. we have sold about 27,000 individual The Swiss Confederation (represented by tickets equalling just a little over 20% of “Therefore, there will be just over 13,000 the Federal Office of Sport) will contribute the tickets available for Swiss visitors”, tickets available to the general public. A 3.3 million Swiss francs to the organisation explained Zürich 2014 CEO Patrick K. relatively small number when considering of the championships. Magyar, taking stock after the first phase the scale of the event,” explained Magyar. of tickets sales. Based on the experience of the number In addition, the Federal Office of Sport is of tickets sold during the special pre-sale, Hansruedi Müller, CEO of the supporting the national federation Swiss All tickets include public transport fares he encouraged fans to secure their tickets Leichtathletik EM Athletics with special annual contributions for the journey to and from the stadium as soon as possible: “By ordering week 2014 AG packages now, fans also benefit from a favourable price per ticket.”

Cooly – the mascot of Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 7 Your Sport for Life CONGRESS 2013 Important changes to Constitution in line with long-term strategy

The 23rd European Athletics Congress in Skopje on 13 April saw the approval of As a result, Congress agreed to limit the a number of proposals from the European Athletics Member Federations and number of mandates served by European European Athletics Council to amend the European Athletics Constitution. Athletics Presidents to three terms. The reasoning behind the proposal by the “Athletics is defined as running, walking, Council to the Congress was that for the throwing and jumping in all forms, long-term success of organisations it is sometimes regulated by rules, exercised necessary to have new ideas and energy in for its own end both competitively and the leadership. The only limit to the time non-competitively, indoors and out a European Athletics President may serve outdoors on various surfaces.” before Saturday’s decision was the age at which a candidate is no longer eligible to A key objective of European Athletics take part in an election (70 years). In line with European Athletics’ long- leading up to the Congress had been term strategy to bring all activities linked to review the whole governance of its It was agreed that a three-term limit to athletics under one roof, from high- structure, including the Constitution, would better help to ensure European performance events and competitions regulations and organisational structure, Athletics remains dynamic and responsive to athletics-related activities that are to bring European Athletics in line with to the needs of its Member Federations serving society, the Congress clarified modern, future-oriented and efficient and the sport. the definition of “athletics” in the associations. Constitution to the following:

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8 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK CONGRESS 2013 e Lif or f t Spor our Y

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1 European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz (C) talks during the European Athletics Congress at Hotel Aleksandar Palace in Skopje.

2 Ludmila Olijar of Latvia receives the Plaque of Merit from President Wirz.

3 Former world record holder Colin Jackson during his keynote speech in Skopje.

4 President Wirz meets the Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Nikola Grujevski in Skopje.

5 Nick Davis of Ireland receives the Plaque of Merit from President Wirz.

6 Delegates at the European Athletics Congress in Skopje. 5 4

The Congress also decided to dissolve the use European Athletics Youth Championships The Golden Pin and Plaque of Merit were awarded of the term ‘Committee’ and replace it with In line with European Athletics’ Youth Strategy, to a select group of people during the Congress ‘Commission’. Henceforth the European Athletics the Congress voted to enlarge the continental who have given outstanding and special service Competition Committee and Development competition programme and begin a European to athletics. Committee will be known as the Competition Athletics Youth Championships from 2016, to run Commission and Development Commission. every two years. Plaque of Merit 1. Nick Davis (IRL) 2013 It was agreed that the European Athletics Council The championships are earmarked for the 2. Ludmila Olijar (LAT) 2013 will appoint all members of all European Athletics beginning of July over four days. The programme 3. Arne Ljungqvist (SWE) 2013 commissions in order to secure quality and of events will be the same as the World Youth flexibility, taking into account the consultancy Championships with a possibility of adding pole Golden Pin function of the positions. vault to the octathlon. 1. Mikhail Entin (BLR) 2013 2. Kari Wauhkonen (FIN) 2013 The composition of these commissions will remain A maximum of two athletes per event per country 3. Svein Arne Hansen (NOR) 2013 unchanged until the next Congress in 2015. will be allowed to participate. 4. José Paulo Moreira (POR) 2013 5. Luis Saladie (ESP) 2013 The two new Commissions along with the nine It was also agreed that the 2015 European existing Commissions form the prime advisory Athletics Congress will be hosted in the Slovenian body to the European Athletics Council. Alpine town of Bled.

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 9 Your Sport for Life COUNCIL

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10 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK COUNCIL e Lif or f t Spor our Y Samokov, , Eskilstuna to host major European Athletics events

The European Athletics Council decided on the host cities for the 2014 SPAR European Cross Country Championships and 2015 European Athletics U23 Championships and European Athletics Junior Championships at its meeting in in early May. Samokov, a town in Sofia province in , Tallinn will host the European Athletics U23 will host the 2014 SPAR European Cross Country Championships in the summer of 2015, the 10th Championships, which is set to take place in edition of the event and the first time it will be held December that year. in Estonia.

Tallinn in Estonia will host the European Athletics U23 President Wirz said, “Estonia has shown itself as Championships, while Eskilstuna in Sweden will host being able to organise top-level European Athletics 1 The delegates from Eskilstuna the 2015 European Athletics Junior Championships. events before, as we saw with the excellent European (SWE) with President Wirz and Athletics Junior Championships in 2011, while they Director General Christian Milz The three sole bidders presented their candidatures will also host the 2013 European Athletics Convention after being awarded the rights to host the 2015 European Athletics at the 137th European Athletics Council meeting in in October this year. We have been assured by the Junior Championships. Berlin. presentation made today that this important event in 2015 will be organised to the high level that we have 2 The delegates from Samokov European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz said, “We come to expect.” (BUL) with President Wirz and Milz after being awarded the rights are very pleased to award the 2014 SPAR European to host the 2014 SPAR European Cross Country Championships to Samokov. Bulgaria has Eskilstuna in Sweden will host the 2015 European Cross Country Championships. shown its commitment to hosting European Athletics Athletics Junior Championships. It will be the 23rd events and has a good strategy in place to grow edition of the event and the first time it will be held 3 The delegation from the Estonian capital city of Tallinn with athletics in the country through such competitions. in Sweden. President Wirz and Milz after being awarded the rights to host “We saw today in their presentation that the 2014 “We have been assured by the presentation made the 2015 European Athletics U23 Championships. SPAR European Cross Country Championships today that this important event will be organised will take place with a beautiful backdrop of the to the high level that we have come to expect from surrounding areas of Samokov. I wish the best to the Sweden. The country has hosted the European Bulgarian athletics federation, the town of Samokov Athletics Championships and, more recently, the and the local organising committee as they work European Athletics Indoor Championships, and we are towards the event.” pleased they will now host another major European Athletics event in 2015.” said President Wirz.

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INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 11 Your Sport for Life WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP A Commitment to women in athletics

European Athletics and 37 of its Member Federations signed the Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport on the occasion of the 23rd European Athletics Congress in Skopje, FYR Macedonia.

More than 350 organisations worldwide the strong support for the Declaration have endorsed the Declaration, which and said “I am really proud that European emanates from an international Athletics and so many federations have conference on women and sport that made this important symbolic step.” took place in Brighton, England, in 1994. “It complements the efforts we have “Signing this Declaration underlines our been making to promote women through continued commitment to increase the work in the areas of research and practical involvement of women in our sport and education, and of course, through our to celebrate the important contributions biennial Women’s Leadership Awards. made by women to athletics,” said European Athletics Director General Christian Milz, President European Athletics President Hansjörg “Athletics has perhaps the best gender Wirz and Council member Dr Sylvia Barlag sign the Brighton Wirz at the signing ceremony. balance at the participant level of any Declaration on Women and Sport. sport. Our challenge now is to encourage “In some cases, the athletics federations and support more women coaches, that signed in Skopje have been the first competition officials, club leaders and 25 23.2 organisation in their country to endorse federation officers in every country.” 21.9 Member the Declaration. This highlights the leadership of our sport on a number of In 2010 and 2011 European Athletics and 20 Federations issues that impact people’s day to day lives nine federations participated in a multi- 19.1 including health, education and social part project on changing attitudes towards European integration.” women leaders in athletics conducted 15 15.3 Athletics with the University of Lausanne with 11.9 Council member Sylvia Barlag (NED) who support from the European Union. The 10.9 heads the European Athletics Women’s project report can be seen on 10 Leadership Working Group welcomed www.european-athletics.org. 2004 2008 2012

Percentage of Committee and Commission positions held by women in European Athletics and Member Federations (Data Excludes Women’s Committees). Data – IAAF and European Athletics

The Brighton Declaration

The Brighton Declaration The Declaration aims to develop a which is managed by the International on Woman and Sport was sporting culture that enables and Working Group on Women and Sport created at the first World values the full involvement of women (IWG), currently based in , in every aspect of sport. It commits the . Conference on Women and signatories to 10 principles for action Sport, which was organised intended to increase the involvement The 6th IWG World Conference on with the support of the of women in sport at all levels and in all Women and Sport takes place in Helsinki International Olympic functions and roles. from 12–15 June 2014. Committee (IOC). To date more than 350 organisations For more information visit including the IOC, IAAF and European www.iwg-gti.org Athletics have signed the Declaration,

12 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP e Lif or f t Spor our Y

Participants at the Women in Seminar in Solihull, near Birmingham, England.

WIWA: Preparing the next generation of women leaders

Fifty participants from 31 countries took part in the first Women in World winners Simona Svachova (SVK) and Athletics (WIWA) Seminar in Solihull, near Birmingham, England, from 12 to Aneta Kaczmarek (POL) were among the 15 April. attendees. “I have never participated in a similar The aim of the seminar, staged by The seminar contents were developed seminar,” said Svachova, who is currently European Athletics and British Athletics and presented with the support completing a PhD thesis on athletics for with the support of UK Sport and the IAAF of Loughborough University MBA children. “It motivated, inspired and Regional Development Centre Moscow, Programme. encouraged me and the other women to was to prepare women already working in progress in our careers in athletics.” athletics for higher level leadership roles Besides 19 participants from Great Britain, in the sport. 28 officials from 27 European Athletics As a part of its continuing commitment Member Federations were joined by to promote women leaders in the sport, Top women competition officials and club women technical officials from the United European Athletics provided financial leaders from all six IAAF Area groups were States, India and Kenya. support to one participant from each of invited to attend the seminar, which is a its Member Federations for the seminar. major element of the legacy programme Marathon great Catherine Ndereba of the 2017 IAAF World Championships (KEN) and 2011 European Athletics in Athletics in London. Future Women Leader Scholarship

Women’s Leadership­ Awards will be the first to receive her prize, which will be given during the European Athletics Awards Night in Tallinn, Estonia, on 12 October 2013. Member Federations are invited The other winners will receive their awards at to name the national winners of ceremonies organised by their federations. the third edition of the European Alongside the awards, European Athletics will give three scholarships to a training programme Athletics Women’s Leadership for young women identified as future leaders in Awards. the sport. example of leadership and other values of the Each federation has the right to select a winner sport. For the inaugural edition of the biennial awards and thereby recognise accomplishments that are in 2009, national winners were named by 24 a significant contribution to athletics in areas A European Athletics appointed panel will select federations; for the 2011 edition winners were other than competitive success and serve as an a representative of the national winners who named by 30 federations.

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 13 Your Sport for Life SUSTAINABILITY

More than 2,700 school children took part in a seminar on healthy living organised Inspiring Green Athletics on the sidelines of the European Athletics Indoor The Scandinavian countries have long been noted for governmental and public commitment to Championships in social and environmental issues. Against this background, the local organising committee (LOC) Gothenburg. of the 2013 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Gothenburg set out to make their event the most sustainable championships ever.

Its policy was developed with partners According to European Athletics President make grass roots athletics happen in including the electricity company Hansjörg Wirz, the long-term success of the clubs in the Gothenburg area; Göteborg Energi, the Swedish Society athletics calls for a new focus on what • an online tool called Kimatmästaren for Nature Conservation and the United athletics can bring to society. “We need to [EcoChamps] designed to raise Nations Association of Sweden. add to our current strength, which is the awareness in athletics fans of great entertainment and communications how individuals can contribute to In recognition and support of these value of our championships and of high- sustainability (see next page). efforts, European Athletics chose the performance oriented competitions, by championships to launch its Green developing new activities to engage and “We were really impressed with the Inspiration project, which is designed inspire the public in ways consistent with commitment of the LOC and its partners to make social and environmental our values.” to their ‘Triple Bottom Line’ approach of responsibility central features of all assessing the impact of the championships athletics events. “Our ‘Your Sport for Life’ slogan means in social, environmental and economic athletics can add to the quality of life terms,” said European Athletics Council Green Inspiration labels are awarded through a healthy lifestyle, education, member Sylvia Barlag, who heads the to distinguish sustainability-themed social integration and even environmental Green Inspiration project. promotional activities delivered by local responsibility.” groups as good practice examples for future “In the end we chose to work with them organisers to emulate. The concept is being From the many elements of the Göteborg on three activities that emphasise the tested on European Athletics’ major events 2013 sustainability programme, three social and lifestyle dimensions of the in 2013 and, assuming it proves a success, activities in the months leading up to the sport. I think all three are great possibilities it will be rolled out in 2014. championships were awarded the Green that can be used to promote other events Inspiration label: and demonstrate what athletics can offer The project is modelled on the successful to society.” ‘Inspired by’ campaign, run in conjunction • a project to promote healthy and with the London 2012 Olympics, which sustainable lifestyles to more than 2,700 This summer, after all the dust from the engaged more than 2,700 community pupils from schools in Gothenburg (see championships has settled, the individual groups in good works projects in the next page); organisers of the three projects will be months leading up to the Games. • a project to recognise diversity in the recognised with certificates of thanks sport by rewarding the enthusiasts who from European Athletics.

14 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK SUSTAINABILITY e Lif or f t Spor our Y

Jumping for Health and Sustainability

The project aims were to inspire young people to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, and to make the championship accessible to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend themselves. Nearly 3,000 14-15 year-old students from schools in all districts of Gothenburg were invited to take part.

They worked on an eight-week series of challenges organised by their teachers, including the best way to prepare themselves for a standing competition. They were then invited to an inspiring seminar on the importance of fitness and taking care of yourself, given by Swedish athletics legends Erica Johansson, Carolina Klüft, Kajsa Bergkvist and Mattias Sunneborn.

The seminar participants also received tickets to the first morning of the 2013 European Athletics Indoor Championships.

As a follow-up, the participating classes Swedish athletics legends Erica Johansson, Carolina Klüft, Kajsa Bergkvist and Mattias were entered into a draw to win a sports Sunneborn talk about healthy living during the seminar in Gothenburg. lesson with one of the athletics legends. saw and heard” said Lena Sjöstrand, the “I think we gave them a positive “It was fantastic to see all these young project manager for Göteborg 2013. experience that they will never forget.” people totally absorbed by what they

The EcoChamps Decathlon

Fronted by Sweden’s combined events Olympic Champion Carolina Klüft, the webpage was developed with the support of European Athletics and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.

An Instagram competition, where participants uploaded photos that “proved” they took the action on their pledges, was linked to the campaign.

“We think this type of awareness raising tool, with its structure based on the decathlon, is a great idea and can be central element for the promotion of athletics events and sustainability,” said European Athletics Council Member Sylvia Barlag.

“Now that we have the tool, our aim is to assist other event organisers to adapt The project aims were to engage the challenged visitors to a decathlon of the page for their own use and help general public in sustainability issues pledges to take actions that would them promote it better and engage more and promote the European Athletics increase their awareness and have a members of the public.” Indoor Championships. An interactive positive effect on the environment. Klimatmästare [EcoChamps] webpage

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 15 Your Sport for Life SUSTAINABILITY

Children and athletics enthusiasts participate in the Moving by Nature campaign by the organisers of the Rieti 2013 European Athletics Junior Championships.

Green Inspiration in Summer 2013

Activities organised in conjunction with all specifications and other practical matters In the weeks before Rieti, school children three European Athletics major events in for integrating the tool into the event will take part in a relay event called “Free the summer of 2013 will be recognised websites. the Nature” which will be organised with Green Inspiration labels. by university and high school students Plans to conserve resources, to minimise and aims to raise awareness about the The LOCs of the European Athletics the environmental impact of the events, transformation of land confiscated from Team Championships Super League in local project ideas and communications organised crime. Over the course of the Gateshead, the European Athletics U23 were also discussed. summer additional relays will be held on Championships in Tampere and the different parcels of land throughout Italy European Athletics Junior Championships Among the concepts being developed for to celebrate their availability for use by the in Rieti will all adapt the EcoChamps the Green Inspiration label are “Build the public. webpage to their local languages and use Building” projects, in which Gateshead it to promote their events. school children will construct a model using recycled materials of a famous In a workshop earlier this year, building or structure associated with representatives met with the page the countries participating in the team designers to discuss the technical championships.

16 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK EDUCATION e Lif or f t Spor our Y

European Athletics Anti-doping Education Programme to continue in Tampere and Rieti

European Athletics will conduct its Anti-doping Education Programme on the sidelines of the European Athletics U23 Championships and European Athletics Junior Championships in Tampere, Finland, and Rieti, Italy, respectively.

Ever since the start of the athletes to take a WADA quiz and help The participants of the programme will initiative in 2007, the them through case studies on the IAAF take part in a lottery where they could programme has regularly interactive learning tool Real Winner. win an all-inclusive trip to the 2014 witnessed participation of over European Athletics Championships in 700 athletes from more than At the last edition of the European Zurich or event passes to witness the 40 countries, which shows that Athletics U23 Championships in Ostrava, exciting competitions of the continent’s youngsters are happy and ready former decathlon world record holder best athletes in the Swiss capital. to gain better understanding of Roman Sebrle worked as the ambassador doping-related issues and their of the programme while at the European The programme is organised in co- own responsibilities. Athletics Junior Championships in Tallinn operation with the IAAF, the World Italian sprinter Laurent Ottoz helped raise Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the World-famous European awareness about the dangers of doping United Nations Educational, Scientific and athletes are chosen among the future stars of the sport. Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). as ambassadors of the programme – who encourage

Strong participation at the Doping Control Delegates Seminar

European Athletics' Medical and Anti-Doping Based on the results of the exams, the Medical Commission organised a Doping Control and Anti-Doping Commission proposed the Delegates Seminar in Frankfurt from 5-7 April. names for the Doping Control Delegates panel A total of 34 participants from 24 European 2013-17. The new panel will be announced Athletics Member Federations took part after the European Athletics Council meeting in in the seminar. Following an orientation Zurich in November. session on European Athletics and the state of anti-doping activities on the continent, the participants took part in a rigorous examination.

Participants at the Doping Control Delegates Seminar in Frankfurt

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 17 Your Sport for Life Director General's State of the Sport

New commercial strategy underpinned by strong events and initiatives

out stadium for the Gateshead 2013 linked to the . We are European Athletics Team Championships also working towards the 4th European By Christian Milz, - Super League. Ticket sales for the Zurich Athletics-UNESCO Young Leaders Forum Director General 2014 European Athletics Championships that will take place in conjunction with of European are strong – more than one year before the Zurich 2014 European Athletics Athletics the event and with daily tickets yet to go Championships. on sale (they start November 2013). We hope these achievements are mirrored We are also putting in a lot of effort at world level in August when Moscow to guarantee the highest level of hosts the IAAF World Championships in sustainability at all our events. We The “odd” year is always the busiest for Athletics. There were positive noises at a continue to offer Member Federations, European Athletics in terms of the number recent press conference at SportAccord in clubs and event organisers the Sustainable of events that take place, but in parallel Saint Petersburg that they will have a very Sports Event Toolkit (SSET) created in 2009 to what we are doing with regard to our strong crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium over in cooperation with the International championships and competitions there the nine days, with the local organising Academy of Sport Science and Technology is a vast amount of work “behind-the- committee providing evidence of a strong in Lausanne and supported by the IOC. To scenes” to secure the long-term future of promotional campaign in place for the help promote the SSET and the concept European Athletics. final few months before the event. of sustainability in athletics in general, our Council appointed a sustainability We are in an extremely important period We continue to work hard in creating new working group, which recommended a as negotiations are underway to renew projects to promote the benefits athletics project entitled “Green Inspiration”. The key contracts with our long-standing brings to European society in the areas of aim of the project is to integrate event and valued International Partners. Our health, well-being and youth. In the past partners (such as city authorities and discussions are being played out in front three decades, Europe has witnessed a sponsors) and members of the public in of a turbulent economic backdrop in remarkable evolution in running. In order activities that promote the event and the Europe, with certain markets completely to have a better idea about the current values of athletics. The LOCs of our main “run down” and struggling to commit state of what is offered to the more events in Göteborg, Gateshead, Tampere, finances and resources as they have done than 200 million runners in Europe, we Rieti and have embraced the in the past. completed a wide-ranging and valuable project and we are happy with its progress situation report on existing activities and in this “test” year. The situation that athletics faces in Europe programmes in this area in almost all is a saturated and highly competitive countries in Europe. It was nine months We continue our commitment to market. More and more, there are external of work, taking in expert reports, surveys, promoting “women’s leadership” as influences such as the Olympic movement, workshops, interviews and meetings with well. This year will see the third time European Union and consequences of most of our Member Federations in order the Women’s Leadership Awards will the Lisbon Treaty of Sport that have an to obtain a pan-European assessment be presented. Furthermore, European effect on the value of European athletics. of current practices. We are now proud Athletics partnered with British Athletics There is also the unsatisfactory situation to have a catalogue of leading practices and the RDC Moscow to stage a “Women concerning athletics facilities and the compiled and based on the feedback from in World Athletics” seminar in April aforementioned lingering effects of the federations. Now, it is time for action. 2013. Following a recommendation recent financial crisis. Firstly, we are starting to think about from the group, the Council decided that systems that could link different national European Athletics will endorse what is In working to secure our long-term future, programmes and activities together, and, known as the Brighton Declaration on we have now finalised a new commercial secondly, we need to give legitimacy to Women and Sport, a position document strategy for the organisation in each national member. We must be seen affirming commitment to gender equity. cooperation with an agency. We envisage as the credible natural authority within 37 Member Federations also signed the an 8 to 10-year plan to secure new Europe and in each country in the area of declaration, adding to the more than commercial partners while optimising our "health and well-being. 300 sports organisations world-wide, benefits and minimising our risks. including the IAAF and the IOC, which There is more to address the youth have signed it. We begin this new commercial journey domain. One step already taken, following with some encouraging signs for a Skopje 2013 Congress decision, means We are confident that our commitment our sport. We are promised a sold- that a new competition, the European to these areas of social responsibility Athletics Youth Championships, will take will also prove attractive to prospective place every two years from 2016. The commercial partners. We want to be Young Leaders Community website (www. able to finance such projects with long- athleticscommunity.org), meanwhile, standing partners who see the same continues to be a day-to-day tool for values and opportunities in our sport and promoting volunteering and leadership its influence on society as we do. development among young people

Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK TAMPERE 2013 e Lif or f t Spor our Y

From to Tampere, the European Athletics U23 Championships returns to Finland

In the wake of Helsinki staging the memorable 2012 European Athletics Championships, little more than 12 months will have elapsed before Finland stages another of Europe Athletics’ flagship events when Tampere stages this year’s European Athletics U23 Championships between 11-14 July.

Inside the stadium, a new track was laid in 2008 and local competitions as well as the European Youth Olympic Festival four years ago, have shown it to be very fast.

Alongside the stadium and For a city of just over 200,000 people, by the lake, a one kilometre Tampere can be said to truly love its sports; course for the race walking playing host to two of the country’s top events has been laid out, ice hockey teams, and staging an annual which will provide an series of rowing, cycling skiing and long- attractive backdrop to the distance events, as well as having the event. famous Tampere Games athletics meeting. Preliminary entries have seen There are over 200 clubs covering a variety 46 Member Federations of sports which can count around a third enter more than a thousand of the city’s population as their members. athletes. In fact, the total is 1037: 566 male and 471 Hurdler Nooralotta Neziri, a poster girl of Tampere 2013 On an organizational level, the city female potential competitors. has staged a multitude of continental championships and Cup events in Some of these athletes will already If Neziri is attracting much of the domestic the last five years, including the 2009 know Tampere from four years ago. The attention, there will also be some major European Youth Olympic Festival, giving youths of 2009 have become under-23 international names that have already it an expertise which was instrumental in competitors in 2013 in many cases. been in the spotlight as seniors. the city being awarded its second major European Athletics event in 11 years. Among those looking for success again Czech Republic’s 2012 European Athletics in the Tampere Stadium is the local Championships 400m gold medallist and The city was a superbly successful venue hope Nooralotta Neziri, a poster girl of last year’s European Athletics Rising Star for the 2003 European Athletics Junior the Championships who is one of three Pavel Maslák has said that winning in Championships, which featured notable featured athletes on much of the event’s Tampere is his main target for the year. double triumphs by Portugal’s Nelson advertising. Evora and Bulgaria’s Ivet lalova and saw Like Maslák, was a winner four Championships records. Neziri won the girl’s 100m hurdles at the at the 2013 European Athletics Indoor European Youth Olympic Festival in a Championships in March, and the The 2008 Olympic Games triple jump gold slick personal best of 13.23 over her age- talented and charismatic Russian longer medallist won what has now become group’s lower barriers. jumper also has publically said that she his specialist event and also the long has trip to Tampere in her diary. jump while the 2012 European Athletics She then went on to win at the 2011 Championships 100m winner took not European Athletics Junior Championships Having this year’s European Athletics U23 only that event but also the 200m. just over the Gulf of Finland in the Championships in Tampere brings matters Estonian capital Tallinn with what full circle as it was in Finland where the All these factors taken together mean was then a personal best of 13.34 to event came to life with the inaugural that there is plenty of confidence, both consolidate her reputation as a women championship in Turku back in 1997. within European Athletics and by the who could produce her best form on the Local Organising Committee, that the big occasion. On that occasion, Finalnd notched up 17,000 seats in the Tampere Stadium will three gold medals – thanks to throwers be filled on each of the four nights of the Last year, Neziri set a national record of Conny Karlsson, Pietarri Skytta and Tania Championships. 13.10. However, she will probably have Uppa – and a similar success rate would to go faster than that if she is to reach be more than satisfactory this time around The stadium itself nestles in magnificent her target of getting another gold medal for the host nation. surrounds, by the beautiful Pyhäjärvi Lake, on home soil as the last six finals have all making it one of the most picturesque been won in below 13 seconds. athletics facilities in Europe.

INSIDE TRACK 1|13 Newsletter of European Athletics www.european-athletics.org 19 Your Sport for Life RIETI 2013 Records sure to fall in Italy

The European Athletics Junior Championships returns to Italy this summer after a 12-year hiatus when the town of Rieti stages the event.

Despite the success of Italy’s teenagers performances and it is sure to witness over the years, with no less than 22 many more during the four days of this gold medals in the 21 editions of year’s Championships from 18-21 July. the Championships since they were inaugurated in 1970, it is only the second No less than eight world records have been time that the country has staged the set at the IAAF World Challenge meeting, event, following on from Grosseto being which was also part of the former Grand a memorable host in 2001. Prix circuit, most recently the 800m mark of 1:41.01 by Kenya’s David Rudisha. in the last two years to earn him those However, Rieti is a town steeped in the accolades. sport and it is an excellent choice for The track has gained a reputation for Europe’s new generation of emerging helping middle distance runners into Other winners’ names that won when Italy stars to go through their paces. new territory – many athletics fans will last hosted the European Athletics Junior remember the feats of Steve Ovett, Championships and leap out immediately Not only does it annually stage one of Noureddine Morceli and the Kenyan pair at any athletics aficionado include France’s The successful transition of the world’s top athletics meetings, a of Daniel Komen and Noah Ngeny in Rieti Ladji Doucoure, Romania’s Marian Oprea, superstars like traditional end-of-season finale for many during the 1980s and 90s – but it is also Hungary’s Krisztian Pars, Turkey’s Elvan Carolina Klüft and athletes that usually taking place in early a quick track for sprinters as shown by Abeylegasse and Sweden’s Carolina Klüft. Mo Farah from September, but the Stadio Raul Guidobaldi Jamaica’s Asafa Powell flying to a 100m There were also plenty of latter day the junior ranks to the senior is an has also built a tradition of having a track - world record of 9.74 in 2007. superstars of the sport who didn’t hear inspiration for any now a stunning shade of blue after being their national anthem played in Grosseto. budding athlete. re-laid last summer - that produces fine Given the warm summer sunshine in mid- July, with the temperatures likely to be Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen and around 25 degrees Celsius, if not a few Russia’s Anna Chicherova both got places degrees higher, there could be plenty of on the podium with silver medals in their records of a junior variety broken in Rieti. specialist events but Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic and Germany’s Betty Heidler, both It is worth remembering that when to become world champions before the Grosseto, which is just 100km to the north end of the decade, had modest sixth and of Rieti, staged the European Athletics ninth places in the high jump and hammer Junior Championships 12 years ago, and respectively. at almost exactly the same date on the calendar, no less than five Championship So who looks like following in those records were set; including a memorable illustrious footsteps now that the clearance 4.40m clearance in the women’s European Athletics Junior Championships pole vault by a certain Yelena Isinbayeva. is returning to Italy?

It is almost certain that some of the Here are six names to follow, one runner, champions this summer in Rieti will, jumper and thrower of each gender: like Isinbayeva, become Olympic and British sprinter Chijindu Ujah, German world champions in the future and these high jumper Falk Wendrich and Russian Championships will be like looking into a hammer thrower Valery Pronkin; British crystal ball. distance runner Emelia Gorecka, Romanian long and triple jumper Florentina Marincu No further evidence is needed than a look and Turkish shot putter Emel Dereli. down the role call of gold medallists in Grosseto 12 years ago. Into the bargain, the home crowd will be sure to be cheering Italy’s big gold medal Now around 30, many of the winners hope, pole vaulter Roberta Bruni. there are at the height of their powers and bestride the sport globally, not least a man All things consider, this is quite a who won the 5000m in Grosseto, Great magnificent seven, but they will not be Britain’s Mo Farah. the only ones to ride off into the sunset after the Championships with something If you are reading this article then you to savour from their trip to Rieti. don’t need telling what the two-time European Athlete of the Year has done

20 www.european-athletics.org Newsletter of European Athletics 1|13 INSIDE TRACK