Poland to host inaugural World Youth Championships

Poland to host inaugural World Youth Championships

In their meeting this morning, the members of the IAAF Council took a major decision: the inaugural edition of the World Youth Championships, introduced by decision of the IAAF Congress in Athens last August, will take place in 1999, in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz. The Championships will be open uniquely to athletes under 18 years of age and are intended to reinforce the IAAF’s policy of offering young athletes the possibility of competing at the highest levels.

Council also voted to allow the following transfers of allegiance:

*Both Troy Douglas and Miguel Janssen - the former is in the process of obtaining Dutch citizenship, following his marriage; the latter having already obtained it - have received permission from their respective original federations and the agreement of the Dutch Federation for the transfer but, as both participated in last year’s World Championships in Athletics in Athens, they will have to wait for a year to pass - in accordance with the relevant IAAF Rules - before they become eligible to compete under the auspices of their new federation. Both will be eligible to compete for Holland at the forthcoming European Championships, which will take place in Budapest (Hungary), in the latter half of August.

Council also confirmed the transfers of allegiance of seven other athletes, who are already competing under their new colours.