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Negotiations are underway for Athens to big the inaugural world marathon championships successful 2030, World Athletics announced Tuesday.
The marathon contention will stay portion of the World Athletics Championships successful 2027 and 2029, but from 2030 will go a standalone yearly event, with men and women competing successful alternate years.
“We are delighted to beryllium exploring the anticipation of a standalone World Marathon Championships with Athens, the spot where this iconic subject was born,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said successful a statement.
The origins of the marathon – which is present tally implicit 42.195km (26.2 miles) — spell backmost to past Greece with the contention for men archetypal introduced successful the modern Olympic Games successful 1896.
The women’s marathon made its Games debut successful Los Angeles successful 1984.
“Few events successful sport transportation the weight and resonance of the marathon; it is some a δοκιμή of the very highest show and a solemnisation of wide participation,” said Coe.
“This is an accidental to make a dedicated planetary solemnisation of marathon running, held successful a mounting that honours its practice while shaping a modern title that reflects the standard and spirit of the planetary moving community.”
World Athletics confirmed “the opening of ceremonial exploratory discussions” for Athens to big the inaugural championships.
“This roadmap ensures the lawsuit meets the rigorous technical and operational standards required for the world’s astir prestigious stage,” said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon.
Agreement has besides been reached with the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) to elevate the Athens Marathon, known arsenic ‘The Authentic’, to Elite Label status.
Having achieved that status, Athens is targeting a Platinum Label – the highest tier successful roadworthy racing – by 2029, placing it alongside the world’s astir elite marathons.
Source: AFP
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