- In a decade from now, I want people to look back at 2024 and say the decisions the sport made that year not only future-proofed athletics but significantly accelerated its popularity and value.”
- The Council also approved the competition timetables for the Race Walking Team Championships Antalya 24 and the U20 Championships Lima 24.
Image: FILE
Important decisions regarding World Athletics’ World Plan, working groups and competition rules were among those made at the 233rd World Athletics Council Meeting in Monaco on December 7-8.
In his summary of the year, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe highlighted the success of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 held in August; a first-rate event that left stakeholders and fans in no doubt that athletics is a sport that is punching its weight and on the move.
Recognising the exceptional performances by the stars in our sport, Coe also gave credit to their efforts off the field of play, as athletes have become increasingly active and engaged in promoting athletics at all levels, including an upcoming Netflix documentary – initiated by World Athletics.
Coe reflected on the strength of the new Executive Board and Council, demonstrated in the discussions that have taken place over the past couple of months, and the restructuring of the World Athletics Headquarters team to support World Athletics’ agenda of innovation.
Looking forward, Coe added: “The year 2024 is going to be one of change. In a decade from now, I want people to look back at 2024 and say the decisions the sport made that year not only future-proofed athletics but significantly accelerated its popularity and value.”
The Council approved the establishment of a World Plan Implementation Taskforce to build on the milestones already achieved in the World Plan for Athletics 2022-2030 and continue to promote and build on this momentum throughout the plan.
The World Plan Implementation Taskforce will be chaired by Council Member Willie Banks, who was Chair of the World Plan Implementation Working Group.
The membership will build on the previous Working Group, with both Council Members and Member Federations represented.
The Council also approved the competition timetables for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Antalya 24 and the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24.
The Antalya 24 event will be held on April 21, 2024.
Like the World Athletics U20 Championships Nairobi 21, the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24 will take place across five days, from August 27-31, 2024.
There will be morning and afternoon sessions on the first four days, then one session on the last day with 13 finals spread throughout the three-hour programme.
WA also approved a recommendation from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to strengthen Rule 15 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules – specifically as it relates to the minimum testing requirements for athletes from Category A Member Federations before major events.
The view of the AIU Board is that the right balance is that the minimum starting point for testing under Rule 15.5.1(c) be 12 weeks, with the matter kept under review. The Athletes’ Commission was consulted on this proposal and shared the view of the AIU Board.