Development

Development - Introduction

Philosophy
Enshrined in the Objects of the IAAF Constitution is the strongest possible commitment to world-wide development of athletics. This, of course, is a huge and complex task. The challenge is to create the conditions under which as many athletes as possible can express their potential in competition and derive the maximum benefit from the sport in the country of each IAAF Member Federation.

The central principle of the IAAF's development philosophy is co-operation between the IAAF, its Member Federations and other partners. As each Member Federation is responsible for athletics within its country, it has a leading role in operating and developing the sport. The IAAF's contribution is to assist Member Federations in fulfilling this role as effectively as possible.

Strategy
The IAAF development strategy focuses on seven areas of activity which contribute to and are indispensable for the growth and strength of sport in any country:

Athletics Culture.
Member Federation Activities and Administration.
Coaching.
Officiating
Competition Opportunities and Organisation.
Facilities and Equipment.
Scientific and Medical Support.


Programme
Under the direction of the IAAF Development Commission, the IAAF Member Services Department, working closely with athletics experts around the world, is responsible for the design, implementation and monitoring of a wide variety of activities to address the needs in the above mentioned areas. These include:

Educational measures.
Technical publications.
Consultancies.
Financial assistance.
Scientific research.
The IAAF invests more than $6 million annually in the Development programme. In addition, the IAAF works closely with other agencies throughout the world involved in development activities

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Welcome to the Athletes’ Biographies section.

BIOGRAPHIES - IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS SERIES ATHLETES: 1999 onwards:

Please note the statistics contained in these lists concern athletes who have competed in IAAF World Athletics Series competition since 1999.

The data represents the major championship highlights for each athlete from 1999 onwards and is not meant to be a definitive career summary.

IAAF Statistics and Documentation Senior Manager Ottavio Castellini will be pleased to amend any information about these World Athletics Series athletes which is incorrectly shown, however, given the 1000s of biographies contained in this section, additional information will not be added unless it directly relates to results of IAAF World Athletics Series competitions since 1999.


OTHER ATHLETE BIOGRAPHIES:

Also available in these lists is limited career data for some other athletes which on an ad hoc basis over the years has also been stored in the IAAF database, and again that data is not meant to represent a definitive career summary. We apologise that no updates can be made to these biographies unless it directly relates to results achieved at IAAF World Athletics Series competitions since 1999.

We hope you enjoy the Biographical data which we have made available.
To view a list of athletes (with links to their biographies) in alphabetical name group order (based on SURNAME) please select a letter from below:

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New Studies in Athletics

In 1984 the IAAF Council appointed a scientific working group with the specific task of producing a journal emphasizing the technical aspects of athletics. In the following year during the Council Meeting in Athens (1985), it was decided to publish the magazine under the name “New Studies in Athletics”. The first issue was published in 1986.

Amongst the existing technical publications, NSA has established itself as a much respected international journal and illustrates the importance the IAAF attaches to scientific and coaching information.

Most of the articles published have been original contributions and provide a valuable source of information for coaches combining the scientific theory, such as biomechanics, with the practical application.

This high level of information comes with an excellent standard of production. NSA is an attractively designed publication with an impressive selection of quality coloured photographs. An essential publication in the coaching world designed with coaches in mind.

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The Official IAAF Partners

The Official Partners of the IAAF provide our sport with the means to develop and grow. They are an essential part of the world-wide family of athletics. Their support enables us to provide development programmes around the world, to help promising youngsters learn to love our sport and grow into the stars we will all thrill to watch in the future. Their contribution helps to finance the competition awards which are won by the champions of today. Visit them on their web sites by clicking on the banners below.

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