IAAF plans world rankings criteria for championships, Olympics

IAAF plans world rankings criteria for championships, Olympics

The ruling athletics body IAAF is setting up its first official world rankings which will serve as entry criteria for big events including the 2019 world championships and 2020 Olympics.

The IAAF said on Friday it is engaging in a partnership with the Elite Ltd All Athletics database to create the rankings.

The details are to be finalised in the first quarter of 2018, the statement said, adding that athletes’ positions in the rankings would be based on points scored.

The points would be given depending on performance and placement, as well as the importance of a competition in the global athletics calendar.

“The IAAF world rankings, which will come into operation in 2018, will drive and shape the global competition system including entry into the world championships and Olympic Games.

“For the first time in the sport’s history, athletes, media and fans will have a clear understanding of the hierarchy of competitions from national through to area and up to global events.

“Also allow them to follow a logical season-long path to the pinnacle of Athletics top two competitions,’’ IAAF president Sebastian Coe said.

IAAF CEO Olivier Gers said that “the rankings will bring much needed clarity to what is today a confusing competition picture even for those from within the sport.”

The creation of the rankings is part of a wide-ranging IAAF reform process since the two-time Olympic champion Coe took charge in 2015.

It was named a “first step in fundamental changes in athletics” which would also affect the competition calendar and competition formats to make the sport more attractive for athletes and fans.

The IAAF also says it is creating a new department named 'IAAF Heritage’ to portray the sport’s history in a better way.

Source: NAN