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Associated Press LONDON -- Track and field's governing body is considering changing the contentious false-start rule and making it tougher for athletes to switch nationalities. The International Association of Athletics Federations will debate the two high-profile issues this weekend at a meeting in Doha, Qatar. The IAAF Council then will recommend any changes to the full IAAF Congress, which meets in August just before the world championships in Helsinki, Finland. Consensus might be tough to find on a proposed no false-start rule, where a runner jumping the gun would be immediately disqualified. Under the current rule that went into effect two years ago, the first false start is charged to all runners in the field -- no matter the offender. After that, any runner who jumps the gun is disqualified. The rule created chaos at the world championships two years ago in Paris. After being called for a false start and disqualified, American Jon Drummond flopped on his back in his lane, folded his arms across his chest, and refused for five minutes to leave the track. The IAAF implemented the rule to cut down on the number of false starts. Under the previous rule, each runner was allowed one false start and disqualified for a second. In a poll on the IAAF Web site, almost 80 percent of 1,351 respondents were against a no false-start rule. Former world 200-meter champion Frank Fredericks, a member of the IAAF athletes commission, conducted a survey of top sprinters. He found opinion divided with 26 opposed to a no false-start rule and 18 in favor. "It is hard to imagine ever finding unanimous agreement whether we revert back to the previous rule, or stay with the present version, or undertake new proposals," IAAF general secretary Istvan Gyulai said. On the other key issue, the IAAF is expected to make it harder for athletes to switch nationalities. "The subject provokes many questions," Gyulai said. "Should there be a waiting period at all? The answer to which seems logically, yes." Dozens of top athletes from Kenya have changed nationalities in recent years, most seeking lucrative financial deals in the Gulf countries of Qatar or Bahrain. In the best-known case, former Kenyan runner Stephen Cherono switched to Qatar and changed his name to Saif Saaeed Shaheen. He won the steeplechase gold medal for his new country at the 2003 world championships in Paris. The IAAF council is expected to consider a so-called "transfer of allegiance" policy similar to one used by the International Olympic Committee. In most cases, athletes have to wait three years after new citizenship is acquired before competing for their new country. The waiting period would be reduced to two years if both national federations agreed. In "truly exceptional circumstances," the waiting period could be eliminated. >From http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=512/newsId=29077.html General Secretary's Report 45th IAAF Congress The following deadlines were agreed regarding the 45th IAAF Congress in Helsinki (2/4 August): Rule Change Proposals with Council's recommendations will be sent to Member Federations by 2 May 2005. Submissions of Nomination for the Election of a third woman member of IAAF Council must be received by 2 May 2005. The Congress Agenda will be sent to Member Federations by 2 June 2005. Video Distance Measurement The IAAF's Partner Epson has developed a system to measure the Long and Triple Jumps instantly, using video and new technology. Following a presentation of the VDM (video distance measurement) at the European Indoor Championships in Madrid last month, witnessed by eight Council Members and five Members of the Technical Committee, it was confirmed that the measurement accuracy of VDM was 100% accurate when compared with the usual measurement made in competition. Council officially approved the system and agreed to use this system at the World Championships in Helsinki, in addition to the official measurement provided by Seiko. Advertising Regulations It was agreed that, in a rapidly changing world in which there was increasing competition from other sports for sponsorship, it was important to constantly monitor and amend the IAAF Advertising Regulations to ensure that they give IAAF Member Federations and Meeting Organisers the best possible opportunities to compete in the sponsor market place. At the end of a long process, a number of proposals which had been prepared by the Circuits Working Group and supported by the Competition Commission, were approved by Council. Sponsor logos may now be displayed on video boards during competition (max 5 seconds without sound). Virtual advertising will be allowed In-field boards may be used to promote the competition title both on the home straight and outlining the safety line for the long throws. National team clothing must be the same colour on both the front and back. Landing Beds may now be used to promote the manufacturer, another sponsor (maximum 10cm) or the name of the city in which the competition is being held. Following a meeting in St Galmier on the occasion of the recent World Cross Country Championships with representatives of clothing manufacturers, Council noted that: Manufacturers would prefer for athlete's names to be put on bibs rather than on vests. No national uniforms will be made with different colours on the front and back. Manufacturers will continue to co-ordinate clothing colours so as to avoid duplication. World Records Since the last Council Meeting in Helsinki in December 2004, 8 World Records have been set, with 6 already ratified. It was also noted that the first ever World Record in the Women's Decathlon has been ratified as valid as of 1 January 2005. Marie Collonville (FRA) set the mark of 8150 points at Talence, France, in 2004. World Athletics Day "World Athletics Day," the annual promotion of athletics for youth age groups, will take place on 7/8 May with 157 IAAF Member Federations having confirmed their participation. Transfers of Allegiance Since the last Council Meeting in Helsinki, the following transfers of allegiance have been noted: Olga Koungorova - RUS to ESP effective from 25 February 2005 Josef Karas - CAN to CZE effective from 1 April 2005 Sylvie Mballa Eloundou - FRA to CMR effective from 1 April 2005 Nicholas Stuart - CAN to GBR effective from 1 April 2005 Gerenshi Tamirat - ETH to GBR effective from 1 April 2005 Dmitrij Valyukevich - BLR to SVK effective from 9 August 2005 Hanan Farhoun - MAR to FRA pending reply of MAR Frantz Kruger - RSA to FIN pending acquisition of Finnish citizenship 2006 World Cross Country Championships – Fukuoka Council approved the following timetable for this event, which will be the last to include short races: Saturday 1 April 13:00 Junior Women's Race 13:50 Senior Men's Short Race 14:30 Senior Women's Long Race Sunday 2 April 13:00 Junior Men's Race 13:50 Senior Women's Short Race 14:30 Senior Men's Long Race Council also approved the timetable of the 2006 World Junior Championships in Beijing 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin Council agreed the dates proposed by the Local Organising Committee and agreed by EBU – 15-23 August 2009 Olympic Games in Athens Council noted that the IOC Programme Commission has continued its evaluation of all sports in the programme of the Olympic Games. Athletics was singled out for its impressive contribution to the Athens' Games, with 87.9% of all available tickets for athletics sold (representing 21.8% of the total number of tickets sold). The average number of global television coverage was 113 hours with 88,835,500 viewers each day on average. Honorary Treasurer's Report The Honorary Treasurer Jean Poczobut (FRA) presented a report outlining the status of IAAF accounts in 2004 and it was noted that there was a positive balance between income and expenses. As part of the on-going campaign to bolster the IAAF's campaign against anti-doping, Council agreed to revise the 2005 anti-doping budget and to increase it by $650,000. Technical Committee Report In the report presented on behalf of the Technical Committee by its chairman Jorge Salcedo (POR), Council heard that the Technical Committee had studied more than 200 technical rule change proposals submitted by 17 Member Federations. Council agreed with the Technical Committee's conclusion NOT to change the current False Start Rule. It was agreed that a quick survey amongst top sprinters made by the Athletes' Commission confirmed that there is no clear majority opinion either for a "zero false start" rule change, or to return to the previous system of one false start permitted per athlete. For this reason, Council has agreed to recommend to Congress that the current False Start rule remain unchanged. Cross Country and Road Running Committee Report Otto Klappert (GER), the German chairman of the Cross Country and Road Running committee, presented its report to Council, highlighting the great success of the recent edition of the World Cross Country Championships in St-Etienne/St-Galmier, despite being relatively small cities, produced a highly motivated crowd of nearly 50,000 spectators at St Galmier Hippodrome over the two days. The committee strongly recommended that chip timing should be accepted for official results purposes. Council decided that, with regard to the World Cross Country championships starting in 2007, further study was necessary to agree the distance for the women's race and whether teams should consist of 4 scorers (from 6 starting athletes) or 6 scorers (from 9 starters). Council agreed that a certification procedure would be introduced for the makers of transponder timing chips, to ensure the required technical and quality specifications. Race Walking Committee Report A report was made by Maurizio Damilano (ITA), the chairman of the Race Walking Committee. Council agreed with the committee's request to work with the IAAF Member Services department to develop a procedure to select the new International Judges' Panel for the period from 2007. It was also agreed to ease the current Race Walking Judges' Evaluation system and to consider organizing a mid-term seminar as a refresher course for all Level III Judges. Council also noted the committee's recommendations for proposed IAAF rule changes which will be submitted to Congress for consideration. Council also reviewed the qualifying procedures race walking events for Helsinki 2005. A proposal for a new World Race Walking Final was made and will be submitted for further study to the Competition Commission. Competition Commission Report Dapeng Lou (CHN), chairman of the Competition Commission, presented his report which made the following recommendations: It is proposed to restructure the IAAF one-day meetings circuit and current World Athletics Final and to create a new global IAAF Circuit with a Final as the last meeting of the circuit. This world circuit will have fewer, higher quality IAAF Permit meeting and certain Area Permit Meetings will be able to join. Council agreed to form a working group to finalise the details of the new structure, which will be submitted for consideration to the next Council meeting in Helsinki in August and to implement the new circuit starting in 2006. Amongst the details to be finalized will be: The ideal number of Meetings The criteria for selection of the Meetings The qualifying system to the Final The name for the circuit and for the Final It was also agreed to form a Working Group to study ways to improve the IAAF Golden League brand and to integrate the Golden League meetings into the new structure, beginning in 2007. It was agreed that, because Monaco's three year tenure of the World Athletics Final would come to an end in 2005, efforts would begin to find a new venue for the 2006 Final. Marketing and Promotions Commission Report The report was presented by the vice-chairman, Helmut Digel (GER), and a number of promotional activities/projects for 2005 were agreed, including a world wide IAAF PR campaign, a World Athletics City Award, Athlete Ambassador teams and marketing seminars for Member Federations. Council also agreed to set up an IAAF corporate identity project and to study concepts for new types of athletics stadiums in the future. Medical and Anti-doping Commission Report Juan Manuel Alonso (ESP), chairman of the Medical and Anti-doping Commission, presented his report with a review of IAAF Medical Education activities and procedures related to medical treatment by prohibited substances (TUEs). It was agreed that there should be regular meetings between representatives of Athletes'/Coaches' and Medical and Anti-doping commissions. Alonso reported on a recent mission to WADA headquarters and Council agreed that such meetings should take place at least once a year in future. Regarding the 2005 IAAF testing programme, Council agreed to increase the general number of tests and those for EPO at IAAF competitions and major marathons. In Helsinki, it was agreed that about 100 out-of-competition tests should be conducted in the month prior to the Championships, in co-ordination with WADA. Approximately 500 urine tests should be conducted just before, during, and after the competition. A minimum of 300 blood samples should be collected for EPO screening and other blood doping detection. With regard to blood testing, Council agreed that the commission should progress as quickly as possible with the database project to allow a greater evaluation of athlete's blood data. Council agreed that the IAAF Registered Testing Pool for 2005, combining athletes who are included in the top lists and World Ranking lists, will consist of 1500 athletes. Council also agreed to co-operate with WADA to take advantage of existing educational documents and also to revamp its existing anti-doping resource on the IAAF website. Alonso also reported that a new IAAF Anti-doping Educational Task force had been set up, composed of four members of the commission and one representative each of the Athletes and Coaches commissions. Finally, it was reported that 2998 doping controls were carried out in 2004, with 997 tests conducted in-competition and 2001 out-of-competition. Of these tests, 74 have been concluded as positive (approx 2% of the total). It was also reported that the recruiting of additional personnel for the IAAF's Anti-doping Department has been ongoing since January 2005, with candidates now being interviewed for the positions of: Overall Co-ordinator for the IAAF testing programme Medical Manager Office Manager/Assistant to the Director It is expected that these positions will be filled in time for the summer season. Finally, it was agreed that a major international conference on anti-doping would be organized in 2006 with the aim of identifying problems and sharing experiences in the implementation of the World Anti-doping Code with other international federations and WADA accredited laboratories. IAAF Coaches' Commission Report This report was presented by chairman Igor Ter-Ovanesian (RUS) who summarised the current activities of the Area Coaches' associations. Council agreed to support a project to introduce video-conferencing as a way to enhance communications amongst the various Area Coaches' Associations. Council also noted that there were now 10 Sports Universities interested in holding courses of the IAAF Academy, and that seven Academy courses would be held in 2005 (in Loughborough, San Juan, Brisbane, Singapore and Santa Fe). Council also agreed that efforts should be made to provide Distance Learning courses on-line. IAAF Development Commission Report The final report of the Council's first day sessions was delivered by Chairman Amadeo Francis. He summarized the activities of the Member Services department since the last meeting, noting the training of Level 1 lecturers under the Coaches' Education Certification System, and a draft document prepared to help train new Presidents and General Secretaries of federations in developing countries. Francis also discussed the preparation of Technical Officials (TOECS) and noted that a TOECS Working Group comprised of Council Member Cesar Moreno (MEX), Technical Committee chairman Jorge Salcedo, Member Services Director Elio Locatelli and Oceania Area Representative Bill Bailey (AUS), had finalized the procedure for the evaluation and selection of the 2006-2009 TOECS Panel. Council then heard a summary of the activities of the various IAAF Training Centres and agreed that a new Asian High Performance Training Centre (HPTC) will be opened in Malaysia. In addition, it was reported that 48 athletes are currently training at the six IAAF HPTCs. ENDS
