IAAF Candidates Enjoy Creativity of Bahamas Relays -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The IAAF presidential candidates may have given a sneak peek at their possible reigns with comments around the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas.

Coe hopes innovative thinking will help the sport reach its full potential.

Speaking last week, Coe said that the federation "needs to think creatively about howwe can entertain and inspire through our major events and the IAAF World Relays is a great example of how we can support regional initiatives."

"Our aim must be to convert spectators into fans and create attractive propositions for potential sponsors, by showcasing new thinking in our events and disciplines and creating more team competitions for Member Federations," he added.

Bubka agreed, saying the success of the World Relays show the importance of broaden the appeal of athletics with new formats.

"The IAAF needs to continue to improve and promote its events all over the world and staging them in new territories."

Bubka emphasized engaging young fans through "dynamic competition formats" and moving the event to new locations to increase participation.

"I suspect the competition in the 4x800 meters and distance medley relays could probably be even more fascinating if Africa hosts the event."

Coe is running against fellow vice president Sergey Bubka for IAAF presidency. The member federations of the IAAF will vote on the presidency in August at their congress in Beijing.

Rugby Modifies Scrum Rules

Members of the Law Representation Group (LRG) for World Rugby met for two days in London this week to critique the laws of the game.

The LRG meets every four years to discuss necessary or potential modifications to the current rules that govern the game. Players, coaches, referees, medical staff members and union members all come together to represent the various interests groups within World Rugby.

During the two-day meeting, representatives critiqued the current laws and received feedback from the various parties. The LRG will use the critique and feedback to submit recommendations to the Rugby Committee this September.

The most notable modification from the last review period changed the rules of the scrum. They implemented a new crouch-bind-set in order to protect player health. The federation says the new rule "reduced forces on engagement by up to 40 percent at the elite level."

Any changes made to the rules from this review session would go into effect during the next Rugby World Cup circuit and would not affect the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Chess Proposes Ice Pieces for Winter Olympics

The World Chess Federation president is setting his sights on the Winter Olympics.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov thinks the game would "fit quite well" at the Winter Olympics, China's official news agency Xinhua reported.

FIDE initially applied to be part of the Summer Olympics scheduled 20 years ago. The long wait for inclusion prompted Ilyumzhinov to consider joining the Winter Olympics.

"As for how chess is connected to the Winter Games," Xinhua reported, "Ilyumzhinov suggested players use chess pieces made by ice."

Written by Kevin NutleyandAndrew Murrell

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