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The Plan’s six main aims are:

  1. To improve the quality and appeal of Athletics events;
  2. To make Athletics the worldwide number one participatory sport in schools – and provide all people with the greatest opportunities to participate in Athletics;
  3. To increase the level of competence in the sport of Athletics and improve access to Athletics facilities and equipment for all;
  4. To increase the recognition of the sport of Athletics
  5. To increase the quality and quantity of media coverage of Athletics
  6. To ensure the long term financial security of the sport of Athletics

To find out more, download the Athletics’ World Plan

About

President spearheads plan for change

Athletics’ governing body is on a mission to make the sport fitter and healthier.

The International Association of Athletics Federations’ celebrates its centenary in 2012 – and plans to mark the occasion by ushering in a bright new dawn for what is one of the world’s greatest sports.

The IAAF wants to encourage wider participation and improve the quality of Athletics’ organisation, administration, infrastructure, training, coaching and officiating.

After canvassing the opinions of its six regional member federations – Africa, Asia, Europe, NACAC, Oceania and South America – it drew up the Athletics’ World Plan in 2003.

The Plan set three key dates – 2006, 2009 and 2012, which it has designated as “on your marks”, “set” and “go”.

Leading the charge for change is IAAC president Lamine Diack, who has been in office since 1999.

Diack, as a former athlete himself, recognises that the sport is in a good position globally but admits there is room for improvement.

He says: “Sitting in Stadium Australia throughout the Athletics programme at the Sydney Olympic Games, surrounded every day by 110,000 people, with hundreds of millions more watching on television around the globe, made it very clear to me that our sport was in a strong and healthy state.

“But like all healthy people, a regular check-up and ongoing health programme is not only wise, but also essential in ensuring a long and enjoyable life.

“This World Athletics Plan has been developed with the help and guidance of hundreds of representatives of the global Athletics family. It is designed to assist everyone in Athletics to build this magnificent sport together with us within the IAAF and to ensure that we continue to grow and develop the sport from our current strong base, through to the centenary of the IAAF in 2012 and beyond.

“This is an important Plan for the future of our sport. Athletics must seek out, nurture and develop new talent and, working together with our partners, continue to provide immense enjoyment for millions of people around the world through the implementation of this Plan.”

Diack, who is from Senegal but set the then French national long jump record of 7.63m in 1958 and achieved his PB of 7.72m the following year, adds: “My love for Athletics began as a small boy growing up in West Africa. Unlike schools in Africa and in many other countries today, Athletics was then part of every small boy’s and girl’s curriculum – no different to Mathematics or English.

“As President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, it is my burning desire to give something meaningful back to my sport. Something that will enable other boys and girls all over the world to enjoy the same opportunities that Athletics has given me throughout my life.”