World Indoor Championships to move to even years in 2004 5 wins in total set for IAAF Golden League Jackpot

PARIS, France - The IAAF Council, in the first working session of a two day meeting, has agreed on a number of proposals from the newly constituted IAAF Competitions Commission to make the number of IAAF Events in odd and even years more evenly balanced. To this end, it was agreed that the IAAF World Indoor Championships would be moved to an even year schedule from 2004. To make this transition as smooth as possible, and so as not prejudice the organisation of the European Indoor Championships unduly, it was agreed that the World Indoor Championships would be held on successive years - 2003 and 2004. The following schedule will apply: 2001 World Indoor Championships 2002 European Indoor Championships 2003 World Indoor Championships 2004 World Indoor Championships 2005 European Indoor Championships 2006 World Indoor Championships etc Council also agreed, in principle, to move the IAAF World Race Walking Cup to even years, and be held at a different time of year - autumn instead of spring. With regard to indoor athletics, in future, lanes 1 and 2 would not be used for 200 metres races, to make the event fairer for all competitors. Council also received a report from the IAAF Golden League Working Group and decided that, in the interest of the athletes during an Olympic year, the IAAF Golden League Jackpot would be easier to win in 2000. The IAAF Golden League Jackpot (50 kg of gold bars) will now be shared among those competitors who win five Golden League events in total. All Golden League meetings will therefore contain all Golden League events. Jackpot contenders must also compete (but not necessarily win) in the IAAF Grand Prix Final. Council also heard reports from the TV Commission, the Race Walking Committee, the Cross Country and Road Running Committees, the Development Commission, the Medical Committee and the Anti-doping Commission. Progress reports were also made by the organising committees of future IAAF Events and from the Athletics Director of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. END E-mail : media.pr@iaaf.org Telephone: +377 93 10 88 88 Fax: +377 93 25 53 84