Press Release 6th December 2005 A Weekend full of Athletics Can a small dot on the map positioned between Lille and Paris be transformed into an athletics capital for three days? It certainly can in Liévin. This town of nearly 34000 inhabitants will be playing host to part of the world's elite from the top Olympic sport from 3-5 March 2006. For the first time, It will do so over a long weekend, hosting not one but two major events in the winter calendar. The first act, Friday evening, is the traditional Meeting Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais in the Stade Couvert Régional. Spectators of this established, top ranked indoor meeting, which already boasts seven world records, will witness an unmissable show. The second act, on Sunday afternoon, is the European Athletics Indoor Cup, the third of that name, bringing together 200 athletes representing ten countries. Two high points, one site: the indoor stadium in Liévin. One common held on even years, when there is no European Athletics Indoor organisation, shared between the French Athletics Federation and its Championships. The European Athletics Indoor Cup is an event that world Nord Pas-de-Calais League. It was a daring challenge, the result of which champion 110m hurdler Ladji Doucouré, has already pencilled into his is one highly original 'athletics weekend', with something for everyone. diary as his only winter competition. With the emphasis on it being a show, the Meeting Gaz de France Pas-de- Calais, will be supported by a number of the top names including Hicham The Nord Pas-de-Calais League and the general public of Northern France El Guerrouj, set to run the 1500 m, the record hungry Christine Arron, have often demonstrated that nothing is impossible and Liévin is clearly (who may attempt a 60m record), Eunice Barber and Carolina Klüft, no exception. They fully intend to fill the 4000 seats in the covered battling it out for supremacy in the combined events. Frankie Fredericks, stadium twice over in the space of three days. Several of the region's the Namibian sprinter, world champion at 200m in 1993, will be the secondary schools and colleges have been called upon to prepare for this patron of the event and Bruno Marie-Rose, author of a great 200m world double event; even going as far as appropriating the colours of the ten record on this same track (20:36 in 1987), will also be along for the party. nations invited to the European Athletics Indoor Cup over the three winter months. A magnificent opportunity to boost athletics in schools', stressed The European Cup is synonymous with athletics being a team sport; an Philippe Lamblin, President of the Nord Pas-de-Calais League. athlete’s personal performance running hand in hand with providing the maximum points for their country. A welcome addition to the Athletics Two distinct but highly complementary approaches, just hours apart, calendar, this event has twice been organised in Leipzig, in 2003 and 2004 united under one roof in a single campaign for today's athletics. A and brings together the top six countries from the outdoor SPAR European weekend filled entirely by athletics, to be savoured with no holds barred. Cup, plus the top two from the First League. The event is now due to be 1 Three questions for Bernard Amsalem, President of the French Athletics Federation (FFA) "To give the Nord Pas-de-Calais region a European dimension" Why did France put in an application to organise the third European This event in Liévin will be backed by both the FFA and the Nord Pas- Athletics Indoor Cup in Liévin? de-Calais league? Here in France we have always been extremely attached That's right. We are working together on this so as to ensure the to the idea that athletics can also be a team sport. This popularity and the success of this unique event in sporting terms. This tradition has long been expressed by the great matches region has a very deep-rooted athletics culture. We are very familiar between countries and the outdoor European Cup), with the area's tradition for organising international events, its hosted at Villeneuve d'Ascq in 1995, Paris-Charlety in experience in this field and the history surrounding the indoor stadium in 1999 and Annecy in 2002. Such competitions are a Liévin. Its volunteers have regularly displayed their competence in seeing vehicle for common values and are often accompanied by a very through large-scale events. They are very much sought after, which welcoming atmosphere. They are also a way for the public to see another means they're used to organising. I have complete confidence in them. side to our sport. As a result, applying for the European Athletics Indoor Cup seemed to be the natural choice in order to continue this tradition and to carry on with concept launched by the DécaNation, a competition devised and staged by the FFA last September. From 3rd to 5th March 2006, the Stade Couvert Régional in Liévin will play host to not one but two events, with the international meeting followed by the European Athletics Indoor Cup. What motivated the decision to organise this ‘Week-End Athlé’ in Nord Pas-de-Calais ? By linking together the two events we hope to reinforce Liévin's international meeting. It won't exist next year as the indoor stadium will be in the process of being renovated. With this on the horizon we decided that it was important to give the event a certain prestige and a greater visibility this season. Furthermore, this ‘Week-End Athlé’ will enable the region of Nord Pas-de-Calais to take on a European dimension. 2 Three questions for Philippe Lamblin, President of the Nord Pas-de-Calais Athletics League "We're planning to pull out all the stops" The Nord Pas-de-Calais Athletics League, which you What have you got planned to pull off this audacious challenge? preside over, is not new to the organisation of large events. In its hosting of the ‘Week-end Athlé’ in Ten colleges and ten secondary schools have been mobilised for this Liévin, do you feel that you are going up yet another ‘Week-end Athlé’. Each of them will sport the colours of one of the level? countries participating in the European Cup. The students will immerse themselves in the culture and history of these nations. At the same Exactly. But I can't bear routine! Within the league we wanted to revive time, they will prepare themselves for a competition, doubtless a relay, the tradition of big events. The league has already hosted the outdoor organised prior to the start of the competition. We intend to use these European Cup twice before, in 1992 and 1995. To have it indoors this events to boost athletics in schools. This is why the press conference year is a huge responsibility, as success in the third edition of this new presenting the weekend is being held in a school. event, would assure its future. In addition to this the Stade Couvert Régional is celebrating its 20th anniversary, which we'd like to toast with What are you expecting from these two big events in the Liévin's an explosive display of athletics. These facilities will then be closed for indoor stadium? 12 months from the evening of 5th March, for work to be carried out. Its capacity will increase from 4000 to 6000 spectators. Given that we We're hoping for great things on a sporting level, like last year, when the already know that there won't be a meeting next year we want to mark world record for the women's pole vault was broken at the meeting. In the occasion with something a bit special; a huge festival of sport to the long term, we would like to rediscover the meeting's former glory, bring in the crowds. which saw seven world records tumble. It'll take time but it's a realistic goal. We'd also like to use the weekend to draw in the crowds. The Stade Couvert Régional has always been full for the meeting. This time we need to fill it twice over in less than three days. It's not going to be easy but we are putting around 20 schools into action for the European Cup. We're also counting on the support of the Italian and Polish community that are numerous in the region. 3 WEEK-END ATHLE MEETING GAZ DE FRANCE PAS-DE-CALAIS – Friday 3 March 2006 EUROPEAN ATHLETICS INDOOR CUP – Sunday 5 March 2006 4 Facts Two events at the same place (Liévin), on the same week-end (the meeting will take place on the 3rd of March and the European Cup on the 5th of March) Specifics … People will watch the best of athletics during a whole weekend. We The Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais meeting: a regular and respected had to take this opportunity to communicate on a common platform event and work together to ensure that this festival will be a real success The European Athletics Indoor Cup: a special one-off event for athletics. The meeting: an individual competition where the athlete is highlighted The European Cup: a team competition where the team is highlighted The ‘weekend of athletics’ is born… More information … The same sport The same place On the same week-end International events 5 The same communication 1st Act: the Gaz de France Pas-de-Calais meeting and its challenges 2nd Act: the European Athletics Indoor Cup, Countries and the French Team The different periods of communication 1st phase: From the 6th of December 2005 to the 15th of January 2006 : a global communication about the ‘Week-end Athlé’ 2nd phase: From the 16th of January 2006: a specific communication on each event 6 Ticketing Getting to the Stadium Special offer for both events..