The International Athletic Foundation
At a Glance

The International Athletic Foundation’s primary mission is to charitably assist the world governing body for track and field athletics - the International Association of Athletics Federations - and its affiliated national governing bodies in perpetuating the development and promotion of athletics world-wide.

Through its support of a variety of programmes and projects including educational, scientific, technical, promotional and social activities, the Foundation strives to aid athletes, administrators, coaches, national athletics federations and others to practice all forms of athletics in the best of conditions.

With the kind personal support of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco, who also acts as the Foundation’s Honorary President, the Foundation is especially interested in spreading the universal message of one of the purest of humankind’s sports, regardless of race, religion, colour or country of origin.

History
Established by the IAAF in 1986 thanks to the dynamic vision of the late IAAF President, Dr. Primo Nebiolo, the Foundation was formally inaugurated in the Principality of Monaco following a Ministerial Decree by the Minister of State of Monaco on November 28, 1986. Dr. Nebiolo remained the Foundation’s only president until his untimely passing in November 1999 when he was succeeded by the acting IAAF President, Lamine Diack. The Foundation played an integral part in Dr. Nebiolo’s life-long dedication to athletics and remains as a remarkable legacy to his compassion, inspiration and determination.

Activities
Foundation projects include educational courses, seminars, conferences and the like to promote a better knowledge of the sport of athletics as well as to better understand its past, present and future. Activities also include exhibitions of a social, scientific and technical nature in order to continually expand the horizons of the sport and those responsible for administering it. Where possible, the Foundation also exceptionally assists deserving athletes, students and Federations in realising their full potential where conditions would otherwise not permit.

World Athletics Gala

Each year the Foundation, together with the IAAF, organises in Monaco the "World Athletics Gala" aimed at celebrating the world’s greatest athletes of past and present. During the Gala, which is broadcast live in over 40 countries, the Foundation names the Male and Female Athletes of the Year as well as other special awards for career achievement, outstanding youth performances and more. Under the direction of distinguished French director, George Giaufret, the joint IAAF/Foundation television production benefits from state-of-the art techniques including steady-cams and crane-cams as well as video walls, music and special effects in the broadcast presentation of the evening. The ceremonies are presided over by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Foundation President, Lamine Diack, and hosted by well-known sports presenters Marc Maury from France and Charmaine Crooks from Canada. The World Athletics Gala is proudly sponsored by the IAAF official bank Compagnie Monegasque de Banque and IAAF Official Supplier Mondo.

Policies
All Foundation projects and programmes are administered by an Executive Committee and an 11-member Council whose decisions are implemented by a secretariat located in Monaco.

The Foundation provides grants and financial assistance where it so deems necessary and based on a broad criteria of need, local economic conditions and merit without regard for race, creed, colour, national origin, or sex. Grants are made on an annual basis by the Foundation Council. Recipients are required to report progress to the Foundation on a regular basis to maintain eligibility. Funding renewal depends on the project endowment and recipient qualifications.

Presidency


Hon. President: HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco


President: Mr. Lamine Diack

Management
General Secretary Mr. Cheikh Tall Bouya Thiare
Deputy General Secretary Mr. Pierre Weiss

Funding
The Foundation welcomes support from corporate, philanthropic and private donations from around the world. Particular support is provided by Compagnie Monegasque de Banque and Mondo.

Scope
The Foundation’s activities are truly global with projects taking place on all the six continents and activities reaching millions of young people and hundreds of countries around the world.

Address
Stade Louis II - Avenue Prince Hereditaire de Monaco - MC 98000 Monaco -
Tel (377) 92 05 70 68, Fax (377) 92 05 70 69.
 
IAF ATHLETES OF THE YEAR