byLarry Eder
The IAAF Council is meeting in Daegu, Korea on the eve of the World Championships in Athletics.
With several important matters to be discussed, including the election of IAAF President, the naming of a new General Secretary and the sites of upcoming championships on the docket,the IAAF Council had many topics to consider.
The election of Lamine Diack to a third term will be unopposed, and Essar Gabriel will be the new General Secretary, replacing countryman Pierre Weiss, who is retiring from two decades of dealing with the politics of sports.
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4 DEFENDERS CONFIRMED AS NOT COMPETING
DAEGU (KOR): All
but 4 individual title defenders from Berlin 2009 should compete in
Daegu. From title defenders not competing as of now Mbulaeni Mulaudzi at
800 m (injury), Marta Dominguez in the steeple (birth of the child),
Steffi Nerius in javelin (end of the career) and marathon women winner
Bai Xue of China who had injury problems.
RECORD NUMBERS
DAEGU
(KOR): IAAF informs about 1945 athletes from 202 countries entered for
the World Championships. Both figures would be records but we need to
wait until the end of the event to see what will be the real numbers. So
far the highest numbers are 201 countries in Sevilla 1999 and 1895
athletes in Berlin 2009. The highest number of countries having a world
champion was registered in Athens 1997, it was 26. The highest number of
countries with medalists was 2007 in Osaka, that was 46. And highest
number of countries having finalists was also Osaka 2007 with 73.
HIGHEST ENTRIES IN THE 100 M RACES
DAEGU
(KOR): Entry lists are showing the biggest number of competitiors in
men´s 100 m 80 and on the women side 79 also in the 100 m. The lowest is
25 by men in the 10 000 m and 22 by women also in the 10 000 m. Next
lowest in running events for men 400 m hurdles (34) and by women 28 in
the 5000 m. In jumps the highest number in the men events high jump and
long jump each 36, in the women part pole vault and long jump 37. In
throws the highest numbers men javelin 42 and women hammer 31.
IAAF Council, Gabriel new general secretary
DAEGU
(KOR): The IAAF Council presided over by President Lamine Diack met at
the Hotel Inter-Burgo, the IAAF HQ in Daegu, for a one-day session ahead
of the 48th IAAF Congress (24/25 Aug; opening ceremony 23) and the IAAF
World Championships (27 Aug to 4 Sep). He informed that 94 percent of
tickets have been sold. The President also made note about the increased
democratisation of the forthcoming IAAF elections which will take place
in Congress on Wednesday 24. “Conscious of the need to further cement
our desire to expand the foundations of our sport’s collective
management, we made a decision that was both historically significant
and brave, resolving to increase the number of female members of the
IAAF Council from four (4) to six (6), without increasing the total
number of Council members, which remains set at twenty-seven (27).”
President Diack who stands unopposed for re-election to the position of
IAAF President, issued a summary of most recent achievements and his
manifesto for the years ahead.
DAEGU (KOR):
IAAF approved following transfers of athletes of international calibre.
Male marathon runner Urige Buta from Ethiopia to Norway, female sprinter
Gloria Asumnu from USA to Nigeria, Yamile Aldama from Sudan to Great
Britain and 2007 world youth champion at 110 m hurdles Wayne Davis from
USA to Trinidad.
DAEGU (KOR):
Bids for November decision of the newly elected IAAF Council. These
potential candidates will have to send their bidding documents by 1st
September and the Council will decide in November. The current situation
is as follows: IAAF World Half Marathon Championships 2014: Denmark
(Copenhagen), GBR (Cardiff), Russia (Cheboksary), USA (New York); Mexico
and Serbia withdrew. IAAF Continental Cup 2014: Morocco. IAAF World
Indoor Championships 2014: Croatia (Zagreb), Poland (Sopot). IAAF World
Junior Championships 2014: Bahamas (Nassau), Russia (Kazan), USA
(Eugene). IAAF World Championships 2017: GBR (London), Qatar (Doha),
Spain (Barcelona); Hungary withdrew.
DAEGU (KOR):
IAAF Race Walking Challenge 2012 approved calendar looks as follows: Mar
3 Chihuahua, Mexico, Mar 29-31 Taicang, China, Apr 14 Rio Maior,
Portugal, May 12-13 Saransk, IAAF Race Walking Cup, Russia, May 26 La
Coruna, Spain, Jun 2 Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Aug 3-12 Olympic Games,
London, Sep 15 Challenge Final Erdos, China.
DAEGU (KOR):
IAAF Combined Events Challenge 2012 approved calendar is similar to
2011: May 5-6 Desenzano, May 26-27 Gotzis, Jun 9-10 Kladno, Jun 15-16
Ratingen, Sep 15-16 Talence.
DAEGU (KOR):
With elections for positions in IAAF Council and IAAF Committees being
contested on Wednesday (24), the first day of the 48th IAAF Congress
(24/25; opening ceremony 23), the administration of the sports’ world
governing body is in a process of transition which by Constitution takes
place every four years. One pillar of the IAAF administration that is
standing down after two decades of dedicated service is current IAAF
Honorary Treasurer Jean Poczobut. IAAF President Lamine Diack paid
tribute to Jean Poczobut, who has been IAAF Council Member since 1995
and from 2003 to date has been serving as Honorary Treasurer. Contrary
to the other members of the 27 strong IAAF Council, the IAAF General
Secretary is an appointed position, and the current incumbent Pierre
Weiss is also retiring this year. Assistant to the General Secretary
from 1985-87, General Director from 1991-2006, and the current General
Secretary since 2006, the career contributions of Pierre Weiss were
warmly praised by President Diack. The name of the new IAAF General
Secretary was also confirmed by President Diack, as Essar Gabriel (43)
the former Director General of the Organising Committee for the Paris
World Championships and formerly responsible for the organisation of the
first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
OTHER NEWS
ZURICH
(SUI): Also the last world leader 2011 missing in the entry list for
Weltklasse Zurich was confirmed. US record holder Jenn Suhr will compete
in the pole vault, together with current world champion Anna Rogowska
of Poland. They will chase the world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva,
top Germans Martina Strutz and Silke Spiegelburg.
OTTAWA (CAN):
Athletics Canada announced that Glenn Smith from Calgary has been hired
to the position of Olympic Development Coach. The position is based at
Athletics Canada’s Calgary High Performance Centre. Glenn will formally
start on a half time basis September 1, moving to full time beginning
November 1. Smith has six years of coaching experience in sprints,
jumps, throws and combined events at Central Michigan University, Tulane
University and Neosho County Community College. He was an elite
sprinter from 1989 to 2003 representing Canada on the international
stage on six occasions including at the 1999 World Championships.
GATESHEAD
(GBR): Former Bupa Great North Run champion Martin Lel, one of the
World’s leading distance stars, has announced his commitment to chase a
third title at the Tyneside venue on 18 September. The 32-year-old
Kenyan, a late entry for this year’s Virgin London Marathon, bounced
back from period of injury to show he is still a big name in the
distance running world when finishing a brilliant second in April’s
race. Now Lel, who missed defending his Bupa Great North Run crown last
year after another setback in his preparations, will bid add to his
titles at the World’s biggest half marathon race. There is also the
possibility the capacity 54,000 field in the race from Newcastle to
South Shields might include Mo Farah, who has been in stunning track
form this year.
DUBNICA (SVK):
Confirmed for the 9th edition of the Athletics Bridge meet in Slovakia
(EA Classic) on September 15 are shot put world champion Valerie Adams
of New Zealand, German hammer world record holder Betty Heidler, young
400 m star Kirani James of Grenada, Russian high jump world indoor
champion Ivan Ukhov. Also running is well known here legendary Merlene
Ottey at the 100 m. Kenyan Paul Kipsiele Koech hopes to attack a fast
time in men´s steeple and Antiguan Daniel Bailey wants to try to achieve
first ever sub 10 in the 100 m in Slovakia. Meet record holder here is
Cuban Dayron Robles with fast 12.95 in 2008 and will return to this
Slovakian city again.
DAEGU NEWS
KAROTAMM
TEAM: Estonian management group of agent Aivar Karotamm will have 50
athletes competing in Daegu. The biggest medal hopes Russian steeple
runner Yulia Zaripova, discus legend Virgilijus Alekna, Russian 400 m
runner Antonina Krivoshapka,
NIGERIA: The
entries of USA-born duo of Gloria Asumnu Gloria and quarter miler,
Blessing Mayungbe were not eligible to compete for Nigeria. The AFN had
listed the two sprinters in a 17-man squad for the biennial
championships without a proper check on the eligibility of these
athletes. They both hold dual citizenship. Asumnu and Mayungbe will not
be eligible to compete for Nigeria until June 23, 2013 by the basic
rules.
AUSTRALIA:
Five medals and a top ten team finish is the expectation of the Flame
team at the IAAF world championships in Daegu (KOR), according to
Athletics Australia High Performance Manager and Australian Team Leader
Eric Hollingsworth.
RESULTS
KLAGENFURT
(AUT, Aug 21): Kenyan Wilson Kipsang won the 10th edition of the
half-marathon here with 1:02:25. Current world champion at the distance
Florence Kiplagat clocked a course record to be the best woman in
1:08:02.
SAN DIEGO (USA, Aug 21): Weldon Kirui of Kenya won the America´s Finest City Half-Marathon in 1:03:18, informs RRW.
