Athletes can now tackle a 200m / 400m double at London 2017

Following requests from the athletics federations of The Bahamas and South Africa to amend the timetable to better allow for a 200m / 400m doubling opportunity, Council has approved changes to the timetable of IAAF World Championships London 2017.

Photo: 209th IAAF Council Meeting / © Christopher Lee for IAAF

The changes, which will allow the reigning Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa to double over both distances in London from 4 to 13 August, is as follows:

• Men’s 200m round 1 moved from day 5 (8 Aug) to day 4 (7 Aug)

• Women’s 200m round 1 moved from day 6 (9 Aug) to day 5 (8 Aug)

• Women’s 3000m steeplechase round 1 moved from day 5 (8 Aug) to day 6 (9 Aug)

IAAF President, Sebastian Coe commented: “This summer’s World Championships are close to my heart. 12 years ago London won the right to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. That decision led to the building of the Olympic Park and the stadium and a decision to keep the track after the Games.

"This in turn meant that London could bid for and host this summer’s championships. With just four months to go until competition begins, I look at the success story which is Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and am grateful to the LOC and so many other people for believing in and delivering this extraordinary legacy.

"I see a vibrant community space, the former athletes’ village redeveloped into housing and a series of world-class sporting venues being used by Londoners on a daily basis and hosting international sporting events. This was the dream we all had over a decade ago.

“I am also delighted that the Council today approved the 200m and 400m double. These double headers create great excitement among both athletes and fans.”

Photo: Delegates at the 209th IAAF Council Meeting / © Christopher Lee for IAAF

Athletics Integrity Unit Board confirmed

The IAAF Council also approved the composition of the Board of the independent Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) which began operation on Monday 3 April 2017.

The Chair David Howman, whose appointment was announced last week, is joined by three fellow Board Members, Abby Hoffman, Marc Peltier and Andrew Pipe, who bring with them a wealth of experience across sports governance and anti-doping.

IAAF Council Member Abby Hoffman is a Senior Executive in the Ministry of Health of the Government of Canada and has been the coordinator of the IAAF Anti-doping Task Force since 2004.

English born Dr Andrew Pipe is Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and has played a key role in the design and development of the structures and processes of World Anti-Doping Agency.

Marc Peltier, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, teaches Sports and Business law and is an observer on the World Anti-Doping Agency Education Committee of which he was a member from 2014-2016.

The fifth and final member of the Board is the AIU Head, a position which, until a permanent appointment is made, will be filled by Thomas Capdevielle who is Head of Testing and Deputy Head.

Copyright © 2011-2017 | IAAF / AthleticsAfrica.Com