The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IAAF

  • ‘Hyper sensitive “Female Athletics frown at starting block cameras

     

    Female athletes have reacted angrily to new close-up cameras at the World Athletics Championships which they say show their bodies from intimate angles.

    The miniature cameras within the athletes’ starting blocks are meant to ‘capture the intense moment just before a race’.

    But women say the camera makes them uncomfortable as they have to climb over it in the moments before a race.

    One German athlete, sprinter Gina Lückenkemper, told Bild: ‘Was a woman involved in developing this camera? I don’t think so.’

    German sprinter Gina Lückenkemper (left at the starting block) said the cameras make her uncomfortable as she has to climb over the intrusive camera in the moments before a race. She went on: ‘I find it very uncomfortable climbing over this camera in skimpy running clothes to go to the starting block.’

    Tatjana Pinto, another German competitor at the championships in Doha this week, has also complained about the new cameras.

    Athletes at the starting block of world athletics championship in Doha

    As a result, German athletics bosses have demanded that the footage only be displayed once the runners are already on the starting blocks. In addition, the camera footage will be deleted every day, the German authorities have been reassured.

    Governing body IAAF heralded the ‘innovative’ new camera angle when they announced its introduction earlier this month.

    One IAAF official apparently felt that felt ‘audience was missing a crucial moment of the drama by not being able to see the athletes’ faces at the start of sprint race’.

    ‘The new cameras within the blocks will capture that intense moment just before a race,’ IAAF broadcast director James Lord explained.

    The IAAF has already been beset by controversy over Qatar’s hosting of the athletics championships.

    Former long-distance champion Haile Gebrselassie said ‘it was a mistake to conduct the championship in such hot weather in Doha, especially the marathon race’.

     

     

  • 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships: Nigeria missing as IAAF names relay teams for Doha 2019

    Despite making it to the final of the men’s 4X200m at the just concluded IAAF World Relays Yokohama 2019 in Japan, Team Nigeria failed to make the men and women list of qualified relay teams for the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships holding in Doha, Qatar.

    From the 45 countries that featured in the IAAF World Relays, Nigeria women team failed to progress to the second stage of the 4X100m and 4X400m events while their male counterpart made it to the final of the 4x200m but were disqualified in the final round of the event.

    In the list of qualified teams released by the world athletics body yesterday, Ghana and South Africa are the two African teams that made it to Doha 2019.

    According to IAAF, at the end of two days of enthralling athletics action at the IAAF World Relays Yokohama 2019, the relay fields for the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 have started to take shape.

    The World Relays has always existed to serve two main purposes: to trial innovative and exciting relay events, and to offer a qualifying opportunity for up-coming major championships.

    This year in Yokohama, 10 of the 16 World Championships spots in the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m were up for grabs, along with 12 of the 16 available spots in the mixed 4x400m.

    The remaining available places will be offered to the highest placed teams on the world lists at the end of the qualifying period on September 6, 2019.

    The qualified teams are in 4X100m; Men (Brazil, USA, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, China, France, Jamaica, Turkey, Italy, South Africa and Netherlands. Women (USA, Jamaica, Germany, Brazil, Italy, Australia, Ghana, Denmark, Trinidad and Tobago and Kazakhstan.

    For 4X400m, the teams are Men (Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Belgium, Japan, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Italy, France and Czech Republic. Women (Poland, USA, Italy, Canada, Jamaica, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Switzerland, France, Netherlands and Belgium.

    The qualified Mixed teams are USA, Canada, Kenya, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Jamaica, France, Japan and Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

  • IAAF lawyer quits in protest of testosterone ruling

    The IAAF’s controversial new ruling regarding testosterone levels in women, which will come into effect on 1 November, has seen one of the body’s disciplinary tribunal lawyers resign in protest.

    Professor Steve Cornelius, a South African lawyer who was appointed to the tribunal earlier this year, sent a letter addressed directly to IAAF president Lord Sebastian Coe, and called the new rule ‘fundamentally flawed’.

    The rule has been widely criticized as targeting South African track star Caster Semenya directly, as it affects both her preferred events (800m and 1500m), and will force her to either suppress her testosterone levels with medication, or change her distances to 5km or 10km.

    Cornelius, who didn’t overtly object about Semenya’s case, wrote to Coe: “Sadly, I cannot in good conscience continue to associate myself with an organization which insists on ostracizing certain individuals, all of them female, for no reason other than being what they were born to be.

    “The adoption of the new eligibility regulations for female classification is based on the same kind of ideology that has led to some of the worst injustices and atrocities in the history of our planet.

    “How the IAAF Council can, in the 21st Century, when we are meant to be more tolerant and aware of fundamental human rights, even contemplate these kinds of objectionable regulations, is a sad reflection on the fact that the antiquated views of the ‘old’ scandal-hit IAAF, still prevails and that your promises of reform have been empty indeed.”

    Semenya, for her part, has been defiant about the development, and had already said after the Commonwealth Games that she was looking to expand her events to include the 5000m and 10,000m, indicating she will likely not submit to the medication rule.

    Meanwhile, Cornelius is one of a number of objectors since the rule was announced last week, with South Africa’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Tokozile Xasa quoted on IOL as saying: “We see this as a targeted approach by the IAAF.

    “This new initiative comes after she (Semenya) broke records at the Commonwealth Games. It is also Africans that are participating in long-distance races, therefore we view it as a target.

    “To compound the argument, she’s also a woman, hence this becomes sexist. This should have come a long time ago, not only when she wins medals as a way to discourage her.

    “We take this as very sexist, racial and homophobic.”

    Tennis legend Martina Navratilova lent her support as well, on Twitter, calling it a ‘racist and sexist rule overall’.

  • New IAAF rule threatens Semenya’s party.

     

    South Africa’s extra ordinary female athlete Caster Semenya may experience a reduction in her speed following a decision by IAAF to apply a medication on female athletes with DSD to lower their testosterone levels

    World Athletics chiefs have confirmed that Caster Semenya will have to take medication to lower her testosterone levels if she wants to continue competing as a middle distance runner.

    As Sportsmail revealed earlier this week, the IAAF will bring in controversial new rules for female athletes with Differences of Sexual Development’ competing in all distances from 400metres to the mile.

    The rules, which will come into effect on November 1, were on Thursday compared by the governing African National Congress party in South Africa to apartheid.

    The performance of Semenya, 27, a double Olympic champion over 800m who has been under intense scrutiny because she has a condition called hyperandrogenism, will almost certainly be affected by the medication. Her options are to make a legal challenge to the rules, take the medication, or move to longer distances.

    The new regulations demand that any athlete who has Differences of Sexual Development ( DSD ) must be recognised ‘at law as either female or intersex’ and reduce their blood testosterone level to less than five nanomoles per litre for as long as the athlete is competing.

    IAAF president Lord Coe said: ‘As the International Federation for our sport we have a responsibility to ensure a level playing field. Like many other sports we choose to have two classifications for our competition men’s events and women’s events.

    ‘This means we need to be clear about the competition criteria for these two categories. Our evidence and data show that testosterone, either naturally produced or artificially inserted into the body, provides significant performance advantages in female athletes.’

    This week Semenya responded to reports of the IAAF’s plans on Twitter. ‘I am 97 per cent sure you don’t like me, but I’m 100 per cent sure I don’t care,’ she said in a post.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ambode targets IAAF gold label award for Lagos city marathon

    Ambode targets IAAF gold label award for Lagos city marathon

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said his administration has set a target to get the Lagos city marathon listed in the annual calendar of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) that would make the Marathon earn a Gold Label award within the next two years.    Governor Ambode, who spoke during an interview with Kwese TV, said it was gratifying that the Lagos City Marathon had, within three years, earned a Bronze Label rating, saying that the past two editions have put Lagos on the international map as the hub for sports development in Africa and that efforts are in top gear to make this year’s edition bigger and better.

    “For Lagos, this is an exciting moment for us. We believe strongly that we are the capital of sports in Nigeria and we need to showcase all the infrastructure and facilities that we have in Lagos and that’s why we have supported the Access Lagos City Marathon in the last three years and it is getting bigger and we are happy to be the host of this marathon.

    “For us, three years and we are able to get this bronze medal rating, that’s a remarkable achievement. The main goal is to have the Marathon in the main calendar for the gold award and in the next two years, I believe strongly that with the support of Lagos State and all the sponsors, we’ll get to where we ought to be. This year, we have over 100 elite athletes coming and we have almost over 20,000 people running. So in the next two to three years, I believe with that support, we would get to where we want to be,” the Governor said.

    The governor said his administration in the last two years has continued to invest heavily in sports, entertainment and hospitality, adding that this year’s edition of the Marathon was unique as it was the first 10km race that would put Nigerian athletes on the forefront and afford them to showcase their talents.

    “We are tired of foreigners, most especially Kenyans coming to win this Marathon. So, we need to develop our own part of this sport and allow Nigerians win it and it’s a veritable platform for Nigerians to showcase their talents and that’s why everybody is getting more interested in the Marathon.

    ”In the last two and half years, Lagos has actually progressed in terms of landscape and the aesthetics in the city we believe strongly that sports is part of that social facility that we can bring to bear to let people see what it is that is going on in Lagos. I’ve always said that I was going to do sports, entertainment and hospitality to create excellence in Lagos and also allow the youths to be able to see that there is a future for them and through this marathon we believe that we are achieving our vision to making sports that instrument for development in Nigeria and Nigerians have come to love what is happening in the City Marathon,” the Governor said.

    Dignitaries expected to grace the Lagos Access City Marathon include the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung; President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick; top diplomats, a-list artistes and celebrities, among others.

    Besides, Governor Ambode lauded the Nigeria’s bobsled team comprising the trio of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, Akuoma Omeoga and Simidele Adeagbo who would be making history to become the nation’s first women’s bobsled team at the 2018 Winter Olympics, saying it was a proud moment for all Nigerians.

    He also commended the performance of the home based Eagles in the recently concluded football tournament in Morocco, saying that they braced all odds to play in the finals.

  • IAAF: World Record Ractified

    IAAF: World Record Ractified

    World record

    Women’s 10km: 29:43mx Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) Prague 9 September 2017
    Previous: 30:04mx Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) Prague 1 April 2017

    IAAF

  • IAAF plans world rankings criteria for championships, Olympics

    IAAF plans world rankings criteria for championships, Olympics

    The ruling athletics body IAAF is setting up its first official world rankings which will serve as entry criteria for big events including the 2019 world championships and 2020 Olympics.

    The IAAF said on Friday it is engaging in a partnership with the Elite Ltd All Athletics database to create the rankings.

    The details are to be finalised in the first quarter of 2018, the statement said, adding that athletes’ positions in the rankings would be based on points scored.

    The points would be given depending on performance and placement, as well as the importance of a competition in the global athletics calendar.

    “The IAAF world rankings, which will come into operation in 2018, will drive and shape the global competition system including entry into the world championships and Olympic Games.

    “For the first time in the sport’s history, athletes, media and fans will have a clear understanding of the hierarchy of competitions from national through to area and up to global events.

    “Also allow them to follow a logical season-long path to the pinnacle of Athletics top two competitions,’’ IAAF president Sebastian Coe said.

    IAAF CEO Olivier Gers said that “the rankings will bring much needed clarity to what is today a confusing competition picture even for those from within the sport.”

    The creation of the rankings is part of a wide-ranging IAAF reform process since the two-time Olympic champion Coe took charge in 2015.

    It was named a “first step in fundamental changes in athletics” which would also affect the competition calendar and competition formats to make the sport more attractive for athletes and fans.

    The IAAF also says it is creating a new department named `IAAF Heritage’ to portray the sport’s history in a better way

  • Access Bank Marathon: Renowned measurer to certify route

    Access Bank Marathon: Renowned measurer to certify route

    The world-renowned marathon measurer, Norrie Williamson  has arrived in Lagos on Monday to begin the certification and calibration of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon  route.The exercise which begins on Tuesday will stretch until the end of the week.

     In a statement signed by the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Head of Communications and Media Olukayode Thomas, he said the decision by the IAAF and AIMS to send Williamson, a former long-distance athlete, former Scottish first division rugby player underscores the importance both organizations attach to Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

    Measurer of the course some of the biggest and the best marathon routes in the world, Williamson has also measured the course of three Olympic Marathons.

    A great runner who authored many books on running like Everyone’s Guide to Distance Running and Every Beginner’s Guide to Walking, Jogging & Running.

    His athletic feats include finishing the grueling 56-mile Comrades marathon, more than 100 ultra events, including 30 or 100 miles of longer.

    He set a record for the longest distance run on a treadmill in 24 hours (more than 161 kilometers).

    He has 20 Comrades medals and represented Great Britain, Scotland and South Africa in athletics, he did his first bungee and parachute jumps at age 59.

    Williamson ran his first marathon in March 1981 at the Savages Marathon; the following year he ran his first 100-miler as well as the first of his 10 Two Oceans ultras, all of which produced sub-4:00 and silver medals.

     Another notable achievement of Williamson was in 1983 when he returned a 2:42 in the London Marathon and then post a 2:45 the very next day in the Boston Marathon. “I had to finish London in sub-three to make my flight to New York to get to Boston!”

    In 1985 Williamson became an accredited IAAF/AIMS course measurer, in 1986 he started writing columns for the newspapers and athletics programs on television.

    General Manager Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Yussuf Alli is delighted that IAAF and AIMS has sent Williamson to do the certification and calibration of our route,

    “when high profile measurer is sent to certify and calibrate your route that means your race is highly respected. Because of our route, which not hilly, we are a potential host of IAAF World Challenge, this is a good development for Access Bank Lagos City Marathon”. Said Alli.

  • IAAF Diamond League: Okagbare aims to win $50,000 top prize

    IAAF Diamond League: Okagbare aims to win $50,000 top prize

  • Give Life Ban to Dopers like Gatlin, says IAAF President

    Give Life Ban to Dopers like Gatlin, says IAAF President

    Justin Gatlin should have been banned for life after he was convicted of being a drugs cheat, Lord Coe declared on Sunday after watching the American ruin Usain Bolt’s farewell 100 metres.

    Coe, the president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, blamed the World Anti-Doping Agency and legal systems worldwide for Gatlin being able to return to the sport after two doping violations.

    The World Championships were still reeling on Sunday from Bolt’s shock defeat in his final individual race to pantomime villain Gatlin, with Coe admitting it was “not the perfect script” following the jeers which greeted Saturday’s result at the London Stadium.

    Denying it was “the worst result ever” for a sport beset by doping scandals, Coe nevertheless told the BBC’s Sportsweek programme: “I’m not eulogistic at the thought of somebody who has served two bans in our sport walking off with one of the biggest prizes our sport has to offer.”

    Gatlin’s first drugs ban in 2001 was halved from two years following an appeal that a positive test had been due to medication he had been taking since childhood, when he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder.

    His second ban, after testing positive for testosterone in 2006, was originally eight years but was halved again on appeal because of the circumstances of the first case.

    “There have been two bans in the past,” Coe said. “One got watered down, which made it very difficult for the second ban.

    “The second ban, we went for an eight-year ban, which would have, in essence, been a life ban. We lost that.”

    Coe blamed Wada for failing until 2015 to make first-time doping offences carry a suspension of up to four years, something he indicated would have made it easier to ban Gatlin for longer second time around.

    A crusader for the ultimate punishment for drugs cheats, Coe added he would be willing to push for it again in the wake of Gatlin’s win.

    Usain-Bolt-and-Justin-Gatlin-at-the-final

    “I’m never going to set my face [against] or close the door on the thought that we could end up one day with a lifetime ban,” he added.

    A recent study on the long-term effects of testosterone found mice still benefited from being given it years later, raising fears the same applied to Gatlin, whose third coming saw him run faster than ever.

    Coe urged national federations last year to be brave enough to stop picking former drugs cheats for the Olympics and other major events.

    The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, also called for life bans for dopers following Bolt’s defeat, something that would also have affected compatriots Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell.

    “It’s the only way you’re going to fully ensure that people don’t cheat in sport,” he said.

    Gatlin was expected to be booed again at Sunday’s 100m medal ceremony, at which Bolt will also receive a bronze medal.

    Declaring the IAAF was “not the thought police”, Coe nevertheless added: “I don’t think Usain will want a situation where an athlete at the moment is demonised.”

    Coe was confident Bolt’s legacy had already been assured before last night’s defeat.

    “I’m sorry that Usain, by his own standards – and I think he was very open about it in his post-race interviews – felt that he’d had a very bad start and was just not in vintage form,” he said.

    “For him, personally, I think it was minor tweak in what he has achieved on and off the track for us.”

    Holness admitted Saturday’s race was not the ending Jamaica wanted, saying: “Usain Bolt is such a great sportsman, his achievements are probably superhuman. But, at the end of the day, we’re all human beings and sometimes these things do happen.

    “We in Jamaica view Usain Bolt as our hero. He is a legend. So I think his achievements are still intact.

    “We see him as a great sportsman. The Jamaican people still love him and, I believe, the world still loves Usain Bolt.

    “What I’m particularly proud of is he did the work, he stuck with the sport, he worked very hard, he followed the advice of his coach, but, more than that, he kept clean.

    “I don’t think there is anyone who will achieve what he has done in our lifetime or lifetimes to come.”