London 2017 Launches Women In Athletics

The London 2017 bid team has announced the ‘Women in World Athletics’
programme – a unique five-year programme that aims to inspire the most
promising young women from the world of athletics to progress in
leadership roles such as technical officials. ??

The Women in
World Athletics programme, which would commence in May 2012 with a
funding commitment of over $400,000 from the London 2017 LOC, will
identify 50 of the most promising female technical officials and young
leaders from across the athletics world in partnership with the IAAF and
its Member Federations.

15 of these participants will be
subsequently selected to officiate and volunteer at the 2017 World
Athletics Championships, should London be successful in its bid.

??Ed
Warner, chairman of the London bid team and UKA, said: ‘Currently, too
few officials and leaders in the sport are female, but by increasing
those numbers and giving them technical skills, support and
encouragement to drive development in their own athletics communities,
the next generation of athletes will be supported both in competition
and in training by a more diverse support network.’

‘Not only do
technical officials enable countries around the world to develop
through hosting international competitions, but also act as leaders,
role models and teachers within their own local communities.’?

‘2017
would serve as the ultimate goal for the participants in this programme
and we hope that the Women in World Athletics programme will encourage,
motivate and inspire more women to progress careers in athletics.’??

Each
individual will be assigned with an experienced female technical
official or young leader from the UK to provide mentoring, support and
share knowledge.

The programme will co-ordinate exchange visits
across the five-year period, in addition to provision of opportunities
for participants to be involved in UK Athletics’ annual programme of
events.

?Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, the Canadian 100m hurdler who
won bronze at the 2008 Olympics is an official ambassador for London’s
bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships and is supporting
this initiative.

??Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, 100m hurdler and
ambassador for London’s 2017 bid added: ‘Being part of an international
athletics event is an incredible experience whether that’s as an
athlete, an official or in the crowd. I feel extremely passionate about
inspiring more women to get involved in the sport and the Women in World
Athletics initiative is an ideal way to motivate more female officials
and leaders to learn the skills needed to develop athletics communities
across the globe.’ ?

‘It would be great to see the World Champs
in London in 2017. I have competed there many times and always had a
fantastic experience, the support there is incredible. It would be a
great accomplishment to see the first of the female officials come
through the Women in World Athletics programme to participate in the
2017 event in London.’