The ceremony (pictured top), in Times Square, honoured the work of the International Athletic Foundation, of which Diack is also President.

"It's an honour to be in New York to celebrate such a special year in the history of the IAAF," said President Diack.

"The United States has been at the forefront of our sport and our association's activities throughout our 100 years of existence.


"The iconic face of the IAAF Centenary is the legendary sprinter and long jumper Jesse Owens, a man who transcended track and field athletics, winning four Olympic gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin (pictured above), and setting numerous world records during his career.

"He also symbolises the huge impact that US track and field athletes have made in what is the most global of sports."

He added: "We thank NASDAQ for this privilege and are most grateful for the support of all our partners who have made this week's Centenary activities possible in New York: the organisers of the adidas Grand Prix, USA Track and Field, VTB [the IAAF Centenary Main Partner], and supporting partners adidas and Mondo – and to the athletes here with us today."

NASDAQ (the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) began in 1971 as a way to electronically trade more than 5,000 stocks, and is today the home to major high-tech stocks such as Microsoft, Dell and Apple.

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