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08.08.2015 Athletics

Member Federations Confirm Support For Olympic Athletics Dividend

By San Jose, Costa Rica
Member Federations Confirm Support For Olympic Athletics Dividend
08.08.2015 LISTEN

IAAF Presidential Candidate Seb Coe has today announced that IAAF Member Federations from Canada, France, Qatar, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States have shown their support for his proposed Olympic Athletics Dividend by waiving or investing their entitlement in order to help support Athletics development in nations that have a greater need.

Coe announced recently [24 July] that the Dividend, which is in addition to all existing IAAF grants, would be distributed among all 214 Member Federations if he is elected IAAF President on August 19. Totalling $22million over a four year cycle, the Dividend would be funded through approximately half of the quadrennial fee received from the International Olympic Committee [IOC] – the payments would be made directly by the IAAF to its Member Federations. This would equate to $100,000 per Member Federation over four years.

Speaking from the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association [NACAC] Senior Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, Seb Coesaid:

“Following conversations with IAAF Member Federations, I am delighted that a number of them have already agreed to waive or invest the Olympic Athletics Dividend that they would have received if I am elected IAAF President. This agreement was reached as part of their commitment to provide additional financial support to those countries most in need of funds. I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to these Federations for this generous gesture of solidarity and for their commitment to growing Athletics globally.”

“This is a great example of how we can work together as the Athletics family to invest in opportunities that fit with Member Federations’ specific priorities. It is important that revenues are distributed fairly and equally and by working collaboratively with Federations we can also ensure that those most in need have some additional financial support.”

“I have had some excellent feedback on the Olympic Athletics Dividend from colleagues around the world and continue to discuss global Athletics development with other countries who are interested to contribute. It’s great to be here in the NACAC region to discuss in more detail how the plan will benefit the Federations and meet their specific needs.”

Ed Warner, President of British Athletics said Seb’s belief that the IAAF is only as good as its Member Federations has been reinforced by his Olympic Athletics Dividend. We endorse this wholeheartedly and will invest our dividend to support worldwide development of Athletics.”

Stephanie Hightower, President of USA Track and Field said “The Olympic Athletics Dividend is a great way to bolster our Member Federations’ ability to nurture and grow Athletics, which is why we support this initiative and will share ours for the benefit of others within the Athletics family. “

Bernard Amsalem, President of Fédération Française d'Athlétisme said “Having spent time with Seb to understand his thinking behind the new Dividend, France has decided to demonstrate our support for this initiative by waiving our dividend to show solidarity for other members of our Athletics family.”

Athletics Canada President Gordon Orlikow said “Canada is proud to play a leading role in NACAC. We applaud Seb’s proposal for an Olympic Athletics Dividend. Consistent with our belief that Seb is the right man to lead the IAAF into our future, we fully support his initiative to contribute our Dividend back so other nations with more pressing needs may benefit.”

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