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Athletics Legends inspire Kids and Youths in Bressanone
By Laura Arcoleo for http://www.iaaf.org – 6th July 2009
Bressanone, Italy – As the competitors of the 6th IAAF World Youth Championships prepare to take part in what is likely to be their first ever global competition five legendary athletes who are now active IAAF Ambassadors were on hand to share their knowledge and experience with the future generation of champions.
Former World Indoor and outdoor champion Kajsa Bergqvist who is also the World Indoor record holder at High Jump addressed a crowd of over 400 teenagers from countries like Australia, Mexico, USA, Cuba, Peru, Germany, Slovakia and many more…
Bergqvist was also on hand to take the youth audience which incidentally included World Junior High Jump champion Kimberly Jess who will be one of the favourite for the World Youth title through some warm up and specialist’s drills.
Next on stage for his presentation was World indoor and outdoor 800m record holder Wilson Kipketer who won a total of five World Championships, three outdoors and two indoors in a professional career spanning almost two decades. Kipketer stressed the importance of dedication and hard training in order to make a successful transition from Youth to Junior and senior level.
Two-time Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes’ motivational speech reflected her own international career which was struck by injury and illnesses. Holmes famously won two gold medals at the Athens Olympic Games in the 800 and 1500m after years of struggles and setbacks. Holmes inspired the youngsters to always believe in themselves and never give up until they have a passion for the sport.
European record holder Stephane Diagana, winner of the 400m Hurdles at the World Championships in 1997 was also an inspirational speaker this afternoon as he stressed the importance of competing for what one believes in. His message to the youngsters was “you have to do it because you enjoy it not because someone thinks you can make it to the top!”
World Long Jump record holder Mike Powell, a World champion in 1991 and 1993 was the last key-note speaker and drove the attention on concentration and focus. Powell drew inspiration throughout his career not only with his record breaking performances but also with his sportsmanship and friendly approach of international competition, an attitude he praised and shared with the youngsters.
The 2009 IAAF Masterclass was blessed by the unexpected guest appearance of IAAF Senior Vice President Sergey Bubka, the World record holder for the men’s Pole Vault whose presence on stage drew quite a few cheers from the crowd!
The IAAF Ambassadors’ day had started with a Kids’ Athletics competition held in the very centre of Bressanone. 48 local 8 and 9 year olds competed in teams of 8 in the IAAF development programme for this age group. Each team was led by an IAAF Ambassador through stations which have been designed by IAAF experts for young kids to get their first taste of athletics in a fun and educative way.
For the record, Kajsa Bergqvist’s team won the competition but as you will have heard before today’s Masterclass and Kids’ Athletics wasn’t about winning; it was about our passion for athletics.
