IAAF World Cup in Athletics logo (© c)
MonteCarloAfter securing an unprecedented fourth consecutive men’s World Cup victory in Madrid’s La Comunidad Stadium in 2002, Africa will be looking for a fifth trophy when the 10th IAAF World Cup in Athletics takes place in Athens, Greece on 16 - 17 September 2006.
While the former GDR had a four-win streak in the women’s competition between the 2nd and the 5th editions of the Cup in Montreal (1979) and Barcelona (1989), the Africans confirmed their continent as the pre-eminent men’s power in this event in Madrid 2002. Africa’s previous victories had taken place in Havana (1992), London (1994), and Johannesburg (1998).
Previous to Madrid four years ago, the USA had jointly held the distinction with the Africans having won the competition three times in Montreal, Canberra (1985) and Barcelona.
But in Spain the African men's team cemented their grip on this World Cup contest, with USA somewhat adrift in third place.
Europe, whose men finished second both in 1998 and in 2002 - only one point behind Africa at the Johannesburg edition - were also second in the women’s Cup in 1998 and 2002! The European women missed out on a title by just two points to the USA in Johannesburg and by three points to Russia in Madrid.
Europe’s men won in Rome ‘81 and topped the women’s competition in Dusseldorf (1977) and London.
But this points-based competition is about far more than just winning. It draws together an essentially individual sport, engendering an unparalleled team spirit, bonding disparate athletes and nations into continental units in an exciting team competition. It is these qualities which make the IAAF World Cup in Athletics a unique force for good in world sport.
In Athens Olympic stadium next weekend, five continental squads from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania, will do battle with the individual powers of USA, and individual European national teams, Russia (men and women), France (men), and Poland (women).
Also, as has previously occurred in the nine lane stadiums of Rome, Barcelona and Madrid, the host nation, Greece, will also contest both competitions.
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