On the Scene in Daegu -- IAAF Congress Notebook

Diack Denies Athletics Decline

In his opening remarks at the Congress, Diack defended the sport he has led since late 1999. He said tracks are disappearing as football fields take their place.

"We've been told athletics is a failing sport and we should just wrap up," he said. "I don't believe that is true."

He said that with eight sponsors for the IAAF World Championships, "We need not worry about the future of our federation in financial terms, if we continue to work together, truly together."

The IAAF will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year with ceremonies in Barcelona and a special stamp issued by the postal service in Monaco.

"Our sport was the first of the Olympic sports," Diack said. "It should continue to have a prime position in the Olympic universe."

Of the 212 federations with membership in the IAAF, 207 were expected, although only 201 had registered by Wednesday morning.

Race for 2017

The three cities bidding for the 2017 World Championships have to make their case quickly since the IAAF Council will choose the host Nov. 11-12 at meetings in Monaco. The candidates are London, which will retain the track in the Olympic Stadium; Barcelona, host of the 1992 Olympic Games, and Doha, which will use a stadium that is being renovated for the World Cup.

London won the 2005 Worlds, only to have to give the event back when a proposed stadium fell through.

Moscow will host the 2013 World Championships and Beijing in 2015.

No New Members

In his final report as IAAF secretary general, Pierre Weiss said the IAAF was approached by the new country of South Sudan last week for membership. "You cannot become a member of the IAAF in one week," Weiss said. In accordance with the constitution of the organization, South Sudan will have an opportunity to be confirmed at the next Congress in Moscow in 2013.

He said Niue, a member of Oceania Athletics, was turned down for membership. IAAF rules adopted in Seville in 1999 stated that only countries, not territories, could join. Niue is a territory of New Zealand.

The IAAF lost a member when Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist as a country.

Age Manipulation Continues

Weiss said he thought the problem of athletes lying about their age was over, "but we continue to discover that athletes cheat."

As a result, the IAAF will not just disqualify athletes, but will take sanctions against their federations as well.

He said the problemis the IAAF doesn't discover the cheating until years later when athletes compete in another competition and produce documentation with their real age.

Weiss said the IAAF had to change the results 10 times from the 1998 World Junior Championships in Annecy.

Membership Issues

Weiss chided some countries for sending correspondence to the IAAF in Spanish or Arabic.

"If you would like to be efficient, try to work in English or in French," he said.

He said federations must remain in good standing with the IAAF. Two federations, which he did not name, did not take part in major events. "We pay 100 percent of travel and accommodation," he said. "I do not see a reason to not take part in these two major events."

Congress Closes Thursday

The Congress ends Thursday with more elections via manual balloting and additional commission reports. Sebastian Coe will give a report on London 2012 preparations and Daegu organizers will also address the Congress.

On Friday, as is traditional on the eve of IAAF World Championships, the IAAF Council will hold a joint meeting with the IOC Executive Board led by President Jacques Rogge.

Written and reported in Daegu by Karen Rosen