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EXCLUSIVE: Bolt set to help Golden League shine even brighter
Date: 25/10/2008
OCTOBER 25 - THE success of the Beijing Olympics has encouraged officials at the International Association of Athletics Federations to push ahead with plans to expand the Golden League, the sport's flag-ship series, in the build-up to London 2012, insidethegames can reveal.
A 12-month feasibility study by the world governing body to restructure the sport's one-day meetings, including the Golden League, has gained fresh momentum after Beijing where Usain Bolt's world records in the 100 and 200 metres thrilled the world and turned him into a global superstar.
But Bolt's performances was just one of highlight of the track and field programme, which was watched in the Bird's Nest Stadium by more than a million spectators, and has convinced the IAAF that there is a massive appetite for the sport around the world.
A spokesman for the IAAF told insidethegames: "We have been in discussion with a wide range of stakeholders, the majority of whom are very supportive and believe that the direction that the restructuring is taking is not only necessary but will provide a tremendously exciting platform for the sport.
"In short, we need to have the best athletes in the world competing more often, the most exciting presentation possible, more meetings around the world, and as much coverage as possible on free-to-air television as this circuit will exist primarly as a way to promote and market our sport worldwide."
The current Golden League consists of six meetings in Europe where any athlete who remains undefeated throughout the series shares a jackpot of $1 million (£628,000).
The new multi-million dollar series could see the sport expand into largely unchartered areas, including the Middle East, bankrolled by sponsors and private investors keen to get involved in the series.
The Olympic Stadium currently being built in London is believed to figure in the IAAF's plans to stage a major event when it is finished in 2011 but the main hope of the overhaul is to give the sport a more global profile outside the Olympics as befitting the fact that it is practiced around the world.
The feasibility study, insidethegames understands, suggests a radical overhaul of the traditional one-day type of meeting designed to appeal more to younger audiences whose Bolt's performances have caught the imagination of.
The IAAF spokesman said: "All the current organisers of World Athletics Tour meetings have been contacted and a large number of potential organisers and cities have already expressed an interest in having their meetings considered for the proposed new structure.
"This includes many existing Golden League and Super Grand Prix organisers but also new venues as well.
"During our discussions with athletes and their managers we have made it clear that there are considerable benefits for athletes in the new model, and not just increase prize money but the image enhancement that will come from being associated with a more professional product that presents athletics in a way befitting its great potential.
"On the commercial side of things, many broadcasters and sponsors around the world are expressing positive interest in supporting the restructured World Athletics Tour and a strong level of interest has emerged for a 'short form' of athletics based on the changes being proposed.
"The aim of this World Athletics Tour is to see if it is possible to introduce a major new competition structure, funded by independent investors rather than by the IAAF directly.
"A number of discussions are currently underway with potential investors in the concept who, despite the current financial situation, are now considering the prospect of being able to partner the IAAF in its efforts to to create an exciting new competition platform."
Any new series is certain to have Bolt as its figurehead.
The IAAF spokesman said: "The biggest joy of Beijing was to see the confirmation of a new world star of sport in Usain Bolt, with his three gold medals and world records, in a sport like ours where world records have not become an everyday occurrence.
"Even better, Usain did so with style and panache-capturing the exuberance of youth and celebrating a new future for athletics.
"More than one million paying spectators were treated to world class competition and great stories-proving that athletics is not just about world record performances but also dramatic competition and human emotions - whether in glorious victory or bitter defeat.
"To the vast majority of people, athletics is the heart of the Olympics: they cannot imagine an Olympic Games without track and field athletics.
"This gives us considerable leverage when it comes to creating programmes to promote and market the sport outside the Games - for example, at the various World Championships event and the World Athletic Tour.
"The challenge of Beijing is to use the global impact and popularity of Usain Bolt to connect with a younger demographic."
Date: 25/10/2008
OCTOBER 25 - THE success of the Beijing Olympics has encouraged officials at the International Association of Athletics Federations to push ahead with plans to expand the Golden League, the sport's flag-ship series, in the build-up to London 2012, insidethegames can reveal. A 12-month feasibility study by the world governing body to restructure the sport's one-day meetings, including the Golden League, has gained fresh momentum after Beijing where Usain Bolt's world records in the 100 and 200 metres thrilled the world and turned him into a global superstar.
But Bolt's performances was just one of highlight of the track and field programme, which was watched in the Bird's Nest Stadium by more than a million spectators, and has convinced the IAAF that there is a massive appetite for the sport around the world.
A spokesman for the IAAF told insidethegames: "We have been in discussion with a wide range of stakeholders, the majority of whom are very supportive and believe that the direction that the restructuring is taking is not only necessary but will provide a tremendously exciting platform for the sport.
"In short, we need to have the best athletes in the world competing more often, the most exciting presentation possible, more meetings around the world, and as much coverage as possible on free-to-air television as this circuit will exist primarly as a way to promote and market our sport worldwide."
The current Golden League consists of six meetings in Europe where any athlete who remains undefeated throughout the series shares a jackpot of $1 million (£628,000).
The new multi-million dollar series could see the sport expand into largely unchartered areas, including the Middle East, bankrolled by sponsors and private investors keen to get involved in the series.
The Olympic Stadium currently being built in London is believed to figure in the IAAF's plans to stage a major event when it is finished in 2011 but the main hope of the overhaul is to give the sport a more global profile outside the Olympics as befitting the fact that it is practiced around the world.
The feasibility study, insidethegames understands, suggests a radical overhaul of the traditional one-day type of meeting designed to appeal more to younger audiences whose Bolt's performances have caught the imagination of.
The IAAF spokesman said: "All the current organisers of World Athletics Tour meetings have been contacted and a large number of potential organisers and cities have already expressed an interest in having their meetings considered for the proposed new structure.
"This includes many existing Golden League and Super Grand Prix organisers but also new venues as well.
"During our discussions with athletes and their managers we have made it clear that there are considerable benefits for athletes in the new model, and not just increase prize money but the image enhancement that will come from being associated with a more professional product that presents athletics in a way befitting its great potential.
"On the commercial side of things, many broadcasters and sponsors around the world are expressing positive interest in supporting the restructured World Athletics Tour and a strong level of interest has emerged for a 'short form' of athletics based on the changes being proposed.
"The aim of this World Athletics Tour is to see if it is possible to introduce a major new competition structure, funded by independent investors rather than by the IAAF directly.
"A number of discussions are currently underway with potential investors in the concept who, despite the current financial situation, are now considering the prospect of being able to partner the IAAF in its efforts to to create an exciting new competition platform."
Any new series is certain to have Bolt as its figurehead.
The IAAF spokesman said: "The biggest joy of Beijing was to see the confirmation of a new world star of sport in Usain Bolt, with his three gold medals and world records, in a sport like ours where world records have not become an everyday occurrence.
"Even better, Usain did so with style and panache-capturing the exuberance of youth and celebrating a new future for athletics.
"More than one million paying spectators were treated to world class competition and great stories-proving that athletics is not just about world record performances but also dramatic competition and human emotions - whether in glorious victory or bitter defeat.
"To the vast majority of people, athletics is the heart of the Olympics: they cannot imagine an Olympic Games without track and field athletics.
"This gives us considerable leverage when it comes to creating programmes to promote and market the sport outside the Games - for example, at the various World Championships event and the World Athletic Tour.
"The challenge of Beijing is to use the global impact and popularity of Usain Bolt to connect with a younger demographic."
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