News Archive

News Archive

COMING HOME: Will the IAAF give the World Championships in 2009 to Berlin?

On December 4, the IAAF will decide in Helsinki, the venue for the track and

field world championships in 2005, where the championships are to take place in

2009.

The cities up for selection are Split, Valencia and once again Berlin.

Berlin has already been unsuccessful in the selection process two times, but

just like for the Olympic Games, one single attempt does not suffice to

succeed, but what is rather needed is endurance, staying power, and a bit of

luck.

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Sporting city Berlin

Berlin has always been a sporting city, and athletics has a great tradition

and success story in the past.

The German Athletics Association was founded on January 29/30, 1898 in the

restaurant “Patzenhofer“ in Friedrichstraße 71 on the corner

of Taubenstraße, while the Berlin Athletics Association was created on

November 15, 1904. But track and field sports were a part of Berlin life long

before that.

IAAF founding in Berlin

The IAAF, the International Athletics Association, was also founded in

Berlin, a fact that has remained fairly unknown. The International Athletics

Congress met from August 21-23, 1913 in Berlin in the “Prussian

Parliament“ (today the Berlin Parliament) and founded the IAAF, then

called the “International Amateur Athletic Association“.

In the past, Berlin’s athletes have made their mark in track and field

sports with great successes—winning 346 medals at the Olympic Games,

World and European Championships, great sports festivals like the ISTAF,

Olympic Day, and major races like the real,- BERLIN MARATHON or the Bewag

BERLIN HALF MARATHON; and with world records that were set at these sports

festivals — and on the streets of Berlin.

The first president was J.S. Edström from Sweden

(picture shows the board - Source: Sport Museum Berlin).

Official founding congress of the IAAF, then under the name International

Amateur Athletic Association, in the Prussian parliament in Berlin. The

election of the first board of the IAAF took place here: President: J.S.

Edström (Sweden); Members of the Board: C. Diem (Germany), P.L. Fisher

(Great Britain), Frantz-Reichel (France), S. Stankovits (Hungary), J.E.

Sullivan (USA); Secretary: Kr. Hellström (Sweden) The following was

decided upon at the congress: - the standard Olympic programme for track and

field, - the appointment of a commission that regulates the assessment of

amateur world records, - the drawing up of a common definition of amateurism, -

the appointment of a committee for questions on amateurism which all conflicts

are to submit to, (Chair: Runge, Germany; Members: Barnard, Great Britain;

Frantz-Reichel, France; Kirby, USA; Pishaller, Finland; Wetherell, South

Africa), - the drawing up of rules and regulations which are to serve as the

basis of track and field throughout the entire world.

The “Provisional Founding Committee for the creation of an

international athletics association” sends out an invitation to a

congress in Berlin for the establishment of the IAAF. The congress takes place

in the “Prussian Parliament” (now the Berlin Parliament) from

August 21-23, 1913.

The establishment of the IAAF in Berlin from August 21-23,

1913

Spectators entusiasm - in a stadium or on the streets

Berlin’s enthusiasm for athletics also has always been large, whether

as spectators in a stadium or on the streets of Berlin, when hundreds of

thousands loudly cheer on the runners.

If the board of the IAAF decides on December 4th to give Berlin the

privilege of hosting the Track and Field World Championships in Berlin in 2009,

then analogue to the Olympic Games in Athens it would be no exaggeration to

say:

WELCOME HOME IAAF in BERLIN!

Berlin is bidding for the IAAF World Championships

2009!

more articles:

World Championships 2009 - Options for the marathon (and walking events) in

Berlin for the IAAF World Championships New ideas for carrying out the street

competitions — the course in the city centre and open races for the

general public as part of the pre-race programme

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/world/E/news/show/002623

Berlin is now the big favourite for the World Championships in 2009

Brussels surprisingly pulled out from the race, leaving only Split and Valencia

competing with Berlin

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002577

The Olympic Games open: Berlin and Athens 2004 on the “Berlin

Boat“ in Piräus

Berlin presents itself from its athletic side

www.berlin-marathon.com

offers extensive coverage on the running events and will start a game

prize

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002291

The reopening of the Berlin Olympic Stadium - Party of the Year

Two-day stadium fest with a gala show and football game

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002210

IAAF.org: European city to stage 2009 IAAF World Championships

Presentations from Berlin (GER), Brussels (BEL), Valencia (ESP) and Split

(CRO)

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002138

New finish at Brandenburg Gate is welcomed by top officials The new finish

of this year

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/001347

real,- BERLIN-MARATHON supports Berlin bid for IAAF World Championships in

2009

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/001325

Berlin is in the race for the World’s 2005

Berlin will be the city for the IAAF’s World Championships in 2005

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/000716