With two months to go until the annual European Athletics Convention, the list of speakers and subject matter has been confirmed and reveals an outstanding array of international expertise at the event in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia on 24-26 October 2024.
The programme will conclude on Saturday night (26) with the prestigious Golden Tracks awards ceremony, crowning the men’s and women’s European Athletes of the Year and the Rising Star for 2024.
Exploration, education, innovation
Before the grand finale, Member Federations will have an invaluable opportunity to explore ideas, innovate, be inspired and learn from some of the leading voices in the sport on a broad range of topical subjects supporting athletics’ growth and development.
The annual gathering, which first took place in its current format in 2008, will begin with speeches by the Athletic Federation of North Macedonia President Aleksandra Vojneska Zikova, who is also European Athletics Council Member and European Athletics Chair of the Youth Advisory Group, and European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov at the opening night’s dinner on Thursday (24).
On Friday (25) and Saturday (26), delegates will take in interactive presentations over two days including:
- Reimagining Competition
A workshop to explore and shape the athletics competitions of the future, led by Cherry Alexander (Strategic Lead Events, UK Athletics and European Athletics Vice President), Jakob Larsen (World Athletics Head of Product Research and Development), Florian Weber (World Athletics Head of Product Design).
- From a Digital Transformation to a Digital Monetisation
A look at the importance of digital platforms from a perspective of design, usability, functionality and offerings to support with Arvind Iyengar (CEO, Sportz Solutions Global & Chairman, Sportz Interactive) and Alex Chamberlen (Head of UK & EU Operations, Sportz Interactive).
- Create value for stakeholders – partners, spectators, and athletes
An exploration into how social well-being can trigger the delivery of new value. By engaging and listening to the communities' needs, events can accessible and relevant to the organising city with Karin Grute Movin (European Athletics Vice President and Chair of Development Commission).
- Athletics Tracks – the needs of tomorrow
European Athletics’ partner and preferred track supplier CONICA on innovation, performance, sustainability and durability to best support the athletics community into the future.
- Health and Wellbeing - Reaching new audience to grow your sport
Through the area of Health and Wellbeing, Member Federations could reach bigger audiences and access new streams of funding. This workshop is an opportunity discuss a proposal and build a long-term strategy for Health and Wellbeing, with European Athletics Development Commission members Scott Grace (National Technical Lead for Youth & Resource Development at England Athletics).
- Beyond the finish line: a relevant governance for a safe future
Leading an organisation comes with high responsibilities concerning Governance and scrutiny from the general public. European Athletics wants to support the Member Federations and Event Organisers to strive for best practice governance, including Human Rights. Session led by David Grevemberg, Centre for Sport and Human Rights.
- Member Federations Leaders Forum
Reflection and an open conversation on what happened in our sport and what should and could be next. This year, European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov and Chief Executive Christian Milz will introduce the session with an update on the achievements and plans ahead.
- European Running Championships
With the first edition of the European Running Championships taking place in April 2025 in Brussels-Leuven, Belgium, all the information you might need to showcase and register your athletes and teams with Marko Vasic (Director, AMG SA), Raul Chapado (President of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation) and Thomas Huyberechts (Head of Project Management at Golazo Group).
The event will conclude with the 2024 Golden Tracks awards ceremony which will also streamed live on the European Athletics YouTube channel, recognising athletes, coaches and administrators.