IAAF, IIRM partner for safety of athletes in road races

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The  International Association of Athletics Federation(IAAF) and the International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM) today announced a new partnership designed to enhance the safety of participants in all IAAF Label road races by ensuring the highest quality medical support is available to the event organisers.

The IAAF and the IIRM have signed a Memorandum of Understanding through which they will jointly develop training courses and seminars for medical directors of marathons and other endurance races over the next two years. The IIRM, whose members include the medical directors of the world’s largest marathons, is the global expert body on medical science related to health and safety at endurance events.

The two organisations will combine to organise regular seminars and educational courses for medical directors and other healthcare professionals at races and events around the world to enhance the medical services provided.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe said: “More people run than do any other sport combined on the planet, and tens of thousands of people participate in some of our road running events.  We want to make sure that runners know which races are licensed by the IAAF so they can be sure they are good quality races that follow the governing body’s guidelines. This agreement will help us to set further standards and share expertise with medical professionals working at endurance events all over the world. We’re delighted to tap into the extensive knowledge of the IIRM and we expect the outcome will be a safer environment for all participants in our sport, from casual runners to the very elite.”

The Chairman of the board of IIRM, Stuart Weiss, MD said: “The International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM) is immensely proud to be partnering with the IAAF to make endurance events safer for the athlete participants. It is a natural fit to add the broad medical expertise within the IIRM to the excellent work that is being done by the IAAF. Together, we can strive to keep endurance athletes safe and healthy, as well as those who compete in track and field championship events. We look forward to a long lasting collaborative relationship with the IAAF.”

The IAAF will make contact with medical directors via race organisers initially, but will also give notice of future seminars and courses through its website. The first course is expected to be scheduled for April this year.