The London 2017 team has announced a Women in World Athletics initiative in support of the legacy for the World Champs! The vote for the 2017 world Champs is in Monaco on November 11, 2011.
Fascinating decision for the IAAF. The decision, in all truthfulness is paradigm shifting, in many respects. London 2017 makes sense for media coverage and the heritage of athletics. Doha 2017 is all about new parts of the world being franchised by the sport of athletics and the reputedly huge pocketbook that Doha possesses.
LONDON 2017 BID TEAM LAUNCHES WOMEN IN WORLD ATHLETICS INITIATIVE
- Programme will open opportunities for women in athletics -
- Female 100m hurdler Priscilla Lopes-Schliep Supports Initiative -
LONDON, 08 November 2011: The London 2017 bid team has today announced the 'Women in World Athletics' programme. This unique five-year programme aims to inspire the most promising young women from the world of athletics to progress in leadership roles such as technical officials.
The
Women in World Athletics programme, which would commence in May 2012
with a funding commitment of over $400,000 from the London 2017 LOC,
will identify 50 of the most promising female technical officials and
young leaders from across the athletics world in partnership with the
IAAF and its Member Federations. 15 of these participants will be
subsequently selected to officiate and volunteer at the 2017 World
Athletics Championships should London be successful in its bid.
Ed Warner, UK Athletics, photo courtesy of London2017
Ed Warner, Chairman of the London bid team and UKA, said: "Currently, too few officials and leaders in the sport are female, but by increasing those numbers and giving them technical skills, support and encouragement to drive development in their own athletics communities, the next generation of athletes will be supported both in competition and in training by a more diverse support network. Not only do technical officials enable countries around the world to develop through hosting international competitions, but also act as leaders, role models and teachers within their own local communities.
"2017 would serve as the ultimate goal for the participants in this programme and we hope that the Women in World Athletics programme will encourage, motivate and inspire more women to progress careers in athletics."
Each individual will be assigned with an experienced female technical official or young leader from the UK to provide mentoring, support and share knowledge. The programme will co-ordinate exchange visits across the five-year period, in addition to provision of opportunities for participants to be involved in UK Athletics' annual programme of events.
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, the Canadian 100m hurdler who won bronze at the 2008 Olympics is an official ambassador for London's bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships and is supporting this initiative.
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, 100m hurdler and ambassador for London's 2017 bid said: "Being part of an international athletics event is an incredible experience whether that's as an athlete, an official or in the crowd. I feel extremely passionate about inspiring more women to get involved in the sport and the Women in World Athletics initiative is an ideal way to motivate more female officials and leaders to learn the skills needed to develop athletics communities across the globe.
"It would be great to see the World Champs in London in 2017. I have competed there many times and always had a fantastic experience, the support there is incredible. It would be a great accomplishment to see the first of the female officials come through the Women in World Athletics programme to participate in the 2017 event in London."
ENDS
For more on this topic:
Iaaf.org
InsidetheGames.biz
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