Posted: October 19, 2005

Athletics: EAA Issues A Call For Change

By Bob Ramsak, Track Profile

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[ NOTE: Press release from the European Athletics Association (EAA) issued at the conclusion of its annual Calendar Conference held last weekend in Reykjavik, Iceland. -Ed. ]

At the European Athletics Extraordinary Congress in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Saturday 15 October, EAA President Hansjörg Wirz presented a framework for change adopted by the EAA Council which aims to ensure a successful future for European Athletics.

“European Athletics is not in immediate danger, but it does face many challenges and we have a responsibility to consider what the situation could be in five or ten years time,” said Wirz. “It is necessary for us all to act now to maintain a strong position for European Athletics.”

The framework for change includes the following objectives:

- To invite the IAAF to form a joint working group with the EAA to consider matters of common interest
- To restructure the outdoor season in a logical manner in cooperation with the IAAF, with the climax to be the major championship of the year
- To review the division of responsibilities for the competition structure within Europe between the IAAF and EAA and the IAAF/EAA Permit system
- To devise new competition formats, enhance the presentation of athletics to give it higher appeal and experiment with new forms of athletics
- To organise an European Athletics Championships every two years to be consistent with all other Area Associations
- To devise and introduce appropriate programmes in conjunction with EAA member federations in order to attract more young people to athletics
- To create and implement an enhanced and coordinated communication and promotion strategy for the sport

A five person EAA Steering Group has been set up to drive the framework for change forward: President Hansjörg Wirz (SUI), Treasurer Karel Pilny (CZE), Director General Christian Milz (SUI) and Council Members José Luis de Carlos (ESP) and John Lister (GBR).

Another important part of the process is the meeting of a ‘brainstorming group’ of leading European athletics experts on Sunday 23 October. The purpose of the meeting is to come up with ideas and recommendations about how the image and appeal of athletics in Europe can be improved.

In other points on the agenda, the Congress unanimously approved the new EAA Constitution.

“We are beginning a new era with the adoption of a new EAA constitution which better reflects the complexity of operation of a modern sports federation,” said Wirz.

In addition the Congress approved a proposal from the EAA Council to introduce an age limit for candidates seeking election or re-election as Council Members. A person who has reached 70 years of age on the date of the Congress where voting is taking place will not be eligible for election.

The Congress also chose Valletta, Malta, as the venue for the 2007 European Athletics Calendar Conference on 11-14 October 2007.

Before closing the Congress, Hansjörg Wirz took the opportunity to thank EAA General Secretary Till Lufft, who will retire later this year, for his huge contribution to European Athletics: “Till was the first full time General Secretary of the EAA and served in the post for over 10 years. During that time he made a great contribution to our movement in a period of much change. We wish him all the best for the future.”

IAAF General Secretary Istvan Gyulai also acknowledged Lufft’s contribution to the sport and the good working relationship with the world governing body: “On behalf of IAAF President Lamine Diack, the IAAF Council and friends and colleagues in Monaco I would like to thank Till for 10 years of excellent cooperation.”

The Congress was opened by Iceland Minister of Education Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, the President of the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation Ellert Schram and the President of the Icelandic Athletic Federation Jonas Eglisson.

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