Athlete Organisation The Athletics Association Launches
The Athletics Association – a new body set to fight for the interests of track and field athletes – has announced its formal launch.
The organisation will be led by double Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor as President and middle-distance runner Emma Coburn as Vice-President. Meanwhile, British pair Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Adam Gemili will join the body’s Board.
The Athletics Association says it will campaign for the rights of athletes, including the right to protest at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – and in particular protests surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement – and also aims to ‘engage in a positive dialogue’ with World Athletics to promote athlete rights.
Meanwhile, the new organisation has also agreed a strategic partnership with Global Athlete, a similar athlete movement which aims to represent athletes throughout the wider world of sport, in a bid to collaborate on projects, share insights and drive change.
“I am very proud of the progress made by the members of the Athletics Association Board,” said Inaugural President, Christian Taylor.
“Since its initial inception a lot of work has been put in to establish the right governance and long-term viability that is essential to do justice to the athletes we represent. It’s this that has attracted the commitment and support of the athletes on the Board. We have athletes from every continent, and a wide variety of disciplines; we are made up of Olympic and World champions, as well as world record holders and continental champions. “
“In addition to the Board members, there are so many other athletes who have helped get us to this stage. World Athletics recently published a strategic plan, and athletes have been identified as key stakeholders. The Athletics Association provides a representative voice and a simple way for the sport’s governing body to follow through on their commitment. We are ready to contribute to the growth of the sport that we love, ensuring that athletes are part of the decision-making process.”
The organisation says its initial objectives include lobbying World Athletics and the Diamond League stakeholders to offer suggestions and alternatives to the changes that were proposed earlier this year; to gain a seat at the World Athletics table; and to offer athletes a membership package including access to courses on issues such as financial literacy and life after Athletics.
