Athletics Leaders Discuss European Games Plan

(ATR)Around the Rings understands that European athletics chiefs will meet to examine proposals to include athletics in the inaugural 2015 European Games.

ATRis told that European Athletic Association president Hansjörg Wirz will travel to Baku next week to discuss plans with the Azerbaijan athletics federation.

Wirz has claimed in the past that the EAA can’t be part of the Games due to contractual deals through 2015. But ATR understands that Baku 2015 is keen to feature a track and field showcase, and a deal could still be struck.

Chingiz Huseynzade, vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, confirmed to ATR at the ANOC Extraordinary General Assembly in Lausanne that meetings would be held with Wirz next week.

Huseynzade said preparations were going well for the multisports event.

Spyros Capralos, chairman of the EOC’s European Games Coordination Commission, told ATR at the meeting that athletics remained a possibility for the Baku 2015 sports program.

Rowing could also join the 17 sports already announced for the Games.

International Rowing Federation executive director Matt Smith is heading out to Baku next week to examine how rowing could be accommodated at the canoeing venue.

Baku 2015 organizers and the European Olympic Committees are expected to announce whether athletics and rowing are on board within the next two months.

Capralos, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, told ATR that a project review team from the commission would likely visit Baku in August to check up on Euro Games preparations.

By this time, Jim Scherr, the former USOC chief executive, will have been in place as the Baku 2015 chief operating officer for one month.

A full inspection visit by the EOC’s coordination commission is planned in October.

Written by Mark Bisson.

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