European Athletics Vice President Dobromir Karamarinov told the 14 members of the new Commission that their task is to find ways to improve on how European Athletics’ values, vision and mission are communicated.

“It is vital that there is a common understanding among our federations, clubs and partners of what athletics means and where we are trying to take it,” Karamarinov said.

“The more effective we are at this, the more the sport will grow.

“Just as important is to be in a dialogue with our federations and others so we can understand what they think about European Athletics and its policies and we can address issues before they become problems.

“This commission is a part of the changes we are currently making within our organisation and it is our responsibility to make it work.”

The meeting started with a day-long workshop, led by sport communications expert Jon Tibbs, who helped the group clarify its mission and initial tasks using a planning model he has developed.

“The whole idea of addressing communications strategically is pretty advanced for a sport organisation,” said Tibbs.

“More often we see federations communicating on a day-by-day basis, reacting when they have to, rather than thinking long-term or about the big picture.

“If you [European Athletics] see this through it will bring a lot of value to your sport.”

Following the meeting a sub-group of the commission will review and comment on a draft of a new vision-mission statement, which is based on European Athletics’ existing ‘Your Sport for Life’ manifesto and the ‘Leading Change’ election manifesto of its President.

Hansen, who also attended the meeting, said afterwards: “We need the commission to focus first on this statement so we can get it right and use the messages it contains as the basis for consistent and coordinated communications in the future.

“After that they can discuss the tools and actions needed.

“In the long-term, I see the commission members as communications ambassadors speaking with one voice for European Athletics.”

Certain to be among the communications tools that are further developed in the future are the communications managers of the European Athletics Member Federations.

Work in this area will start with the bi-annual Communication Managers Seminar to be held on the sidelines of the European Athletics Convention, between October 18 and 19, in Lausanne.

In addition to Karamarinov, the members of the commission are Ukraine's Olga Aksyonova, Sylvia Barlag of The Netherlands, Russia's Mikhail Butov, Albanian Nikolin Dionisi, Robert Emmiyan from Armenia, Hungary's Marton Gyulai, Kjetil Hildeskor from Norway, Sirje Lippe of Estonia, Julien Mauriat from France, Ieva Staponkute of Lithuania, Salih Münir Yaras from Turkey, Luka Steiner of Slovenia and Great Britain's James Mulligan representing the Head Office as Deputy Chair.

 Also assisting with the commission’s work is the Head of President’s Cabinet Bill Glad, also from Britain. 

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