European Athletics Champs To Go Biennial

The European Athletics Championships is to be staged more frequently, taking
place every two years instead of four under a new calendar for the sport.

Under the existing structure, the European Athletics Championships have been
held every four years, most recently in 2006 in Gothenburg with Barcelona to
host the event in 2010.

Following 2010, the championships will go biennial, but organisers have
pledged the 2012 competition will not clash with the London Olympics or Euro
2012.

European Athletics director general Christian Milz admitted the new system
has ‘many hurdles to clear’.

‘The 2012 championships will finish over four weeks before the athletics
programme begins at the Olympics and will, ideally, coincide with the US Olympic
trials.

‘Of course, I can understand that some people are uncomfortable with changes.
But we are listening to, and considering, all the opinions from our key
stakeholders and acting on them to make this a win-win situation for everyone.

‘The rationale behind the European Athletics Championships taking place every
even year is obvious. That is, to create more awareness and visibility for our
sport. We have always felt that the numerous benefits from this are clear.”