by Larry Eder
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
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