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| Sebastian Coe and Sergey Bubka talk about Helsinki 2012 at the AIPS press lunch in Daegu, South Korea. |
Athletics legends Sebastian Coe and Sergey Bubka were united in their support for the Helsinki 2012 European Athletics Championships at the International Sports Press Association press lunch in Daegu, South Korea, on Wednesday.
Lord Coe hailed the “fantastic opportunity” for athletes taking part in next summer’s event, while Bubka praised Helsinki’s proven ability to successfully launch innovations in athletics.
European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz and IAAF President Lamine Diack, along with new 800m world champion David Rudisha, joined AIPS President Gianni Merlo and other journalists from around the world to hear the latest on the championships, which next year take place 27 June to 1 July at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
The Helsinki 2012 local organising committee, the first to manage European Athletics’ flagship event as it switches to a two-year cycle, presented a groundbreaking concept and format for a streamlined 5-day event embracing innovations in competition, entertainment and technology that they hope will pave the way for a new era in European athletics.
“The European Athletics Championships every two years is a fantastic opportunity for European athletes to showcase their potential,” said Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee and IAAF Vice-President. “The motivation that the European championships give is certainly needed for European athletics.”
IAAF Vice-President Bubka, the pole vault world champion from the first IAAF World Athletics Championships held in Helsinki 1983, said, “I’m so glad that Helsinki is once again making history. Helsinki is the best host for creating something new – such as the new concept for the European Athletics Championships. Helsinki 2012 is an important platform for European athletes in preparation for the Olympics, including the selection process.”
President Wirz emphasised the importance of the new two-year cycle of the European Athletics Championships from the athletes’ point of view.
“The amount of European athletes at the European championships is almost double compared to the World Championships, for example. The significance of this fact has been recognised more and more. The European Athletics Championships is an excellent stepping stone for our future stars.”
Challenge and opportunity for Helsinki 2012 organisers
Helsinki 2012 President Antti Pihlakoski agreed there were still challenges that lay ahead of next year’s championships but with these challenges came a lot of possibilities, with the aim to offer something unique for athletes, fans and media.
“Once again Helsinki will offer something unique. We hosted the first IAAF World Championships in 1983, and we introduced the brand new event presentation system at the 10th IAAF World Championships in 2005. Now we are working hard to create a fresh, modern and fascinating start for a more compact, five-day European Athletics Championships,” said Pihlakoski.
“We will offer short commutes, a clean and safe environment, as well as punctual arrangements to benefit the athletes. For the fans, we will offer an advanced event presentation system, which, together with a live results service for mobile devices, will create the perfect conditions for enjoying athletics at the renovated Olympic Stadium.
'We will do our job with quality, style and great passion. This is a great chance to brighten the image of our beloved sport.”