Representatives of the Georgian Athletics Federation visited the European Athletics headquarters on Tuesday (17), where they met with European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov, CEO Christian Milz, and Development Director Sylvain Jolliet to discuss the further development of athletics in Georgia.
At the meeting, it was confirmed that the Georgian Athletics Federation will be part of the National Development Plan Programme in 2026.
President Dobromir Karamarinov congratulated the President of the Georgian Athletics Federation Aleksi Akhvlediani for their initiative and the quality of the research and survey presented during the visit.
The federation in turn recognised the recent decline in high-performance results, highlighting the need for improved education and support for coaches.
Coach education as priority
Through its inclusion in the 2026 National Development Plan Programme, European Athletics will support the federation’s to provide a greater quantity and quality of modern educational opportunities for coaches.
The programme will focus primarily on coach education and development, recognising coaches’ central role in shaping the future of the sport.
"Through our European network, we can learn from each other and achieve more by working together,” said Dobromir Karamarinov, President of European Athletics.
“This programme will be tailored made and start with Georgian Athletics Federation but has great potential and we should also consider to include and do something for the wider region.
“It is expected to strengthen elite performance, contribute to healthier communities, and support the development of kids’ athletics projects. It will also aim to motivate athletes in their post-competition careers and offer opportunities for those who wish to remain in the sport through improved education pathways.
European Athletics CEO Christian Milz said: “This is exactly what we expect from our Member Federations. The Georgian Athletics Federation has done its homework and is asking for support in the areas identified as priorities in their growth strategy.
“We will work together to develop a detailed project outlining clear technical, theoretical, and practical requirements to support this ambition.”
"Strong and sustainable partnerships"
Aleksi Akhvlediani commented: “European Athletics looks forward to building strong and sustainable partnerships and investing together in the next generation of coaches and athletes in Georgia.
“Recent observations have shown that the key to achieving high results in professional sports lies in more active, in-depth coaching training. With the support and involvement of European Athletics, we are confident that we can address the main challenge faced not only in Georgia but throughout the region.
“Prioritising coach development and training programs is critical to further popularising athletics and expanding high-quality training opportunities across Europe. Elevating coach training directly supports professional athletes' achievements."
The National Development Plan Programme offers an opportunity for Member Federations to create a bespoke development plan based on their own strategy.
Member Federations engaged in the programme work closely with their stakeholders and follow a structured methodology and action plan, supported by European Athletics, to clearly identify their main strategic priorities for the coming years.
More details about the Member Federation Strategy and National Development Programme can be found here.