Quality control introduced for venues

The International Association of Athletic Federation is drawing up a quality control criteria for hopeful IAAF event organisers.

The number of IAAF Golden League meetings being reduced from seven to five from next year,

It is already known that Monaco, scheduled to stage the next two IAAF Grand Prix finals, will not be a contestant.

That leaves Berlin, Brussels, Oslo Paris, Rome and Zurich of the current venues in the running.

It is also anticipated that London, currently a Grand Prix One member, might bid.

But with Great Britain not really having a suitable stadium the Grand Prix takes place at the rundown Crystal Palace in south east London to stage a high profile Golden League event, it faces problems.

So, too, does Oslo. For many years the Bislett Games has been a world leader.

But the renowned stadium is due to be re-built, leaving the Norwegian capital without a suitable arena.

Although Berlin is currently in the hands of the receivers, it is unlikely the IAAF would consider axing the ISTAF meeting.

It is understood the new organisational team has assured the world governing body they can sustain the meeting for the foreseeable future.

The IAAF are known to prefer big city capitals as Golden League hosts.

In Brussels at the weekend, president Lamine Diack, said: ‘‘We have drawn up a list of criteria as we believe it is important that the IAAF Golden League represents the best quality of one-day athletics meetings.

‘‘Although details of the application letter we expect to receive from potential organizers remain confidential, I can confirm that the IAAF is looking for guarantees regarding financial security and TV coverage.

‘‘To qualify for IAAF Golden League status we will demand a minimum organizational budget, including a guarantee for athletes’ prize money.

‘‘It is important to ensure that the Golden League is a real promotional tool for our sport, and we expect coverage - on free-to-air television - not just of the host country’s meeting, but of the circuit as a whole.

‘‘We have also stressed the importance of having good spectator attendance at each event and are asking each meeting organiser to work with us to develop new marketing concepts for the circuit as a whole.

‘‘I am confident that we will receive applications not just from existing Golden League meetings but from those who aspire to join.’’