President Wirz meets with Icelandic government officials

European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz took the opportunity to meet with Icelandic government officials following a recent Athletics Facilities Seminar in the country’s capital Reykjavik.

President Wiz held talks with Iceland’s Minister of Education and Sports Katrin Jakobsdottir, Oskar Thor Armannsson, Head of the Sports Department in the Ministry, and Permanent Secretary Asta Magnúsdóttir.

Before the seminar, the president also met with the Icelandic National Olympic Committee President Olaf E. Rafnsson, Icelandic Athletics Federation (Frjálsiprottasamband Islands) President Stefan Halldórsson and General Secretary Jonas Egilsson, who is also a European Athletics Council member.

In an interview with Iceland’s national TV station RUV during his visit, found here at the 23-minute mark, President Wirz discussed the upcoming Helsinki 2012 European Athletics Championships, which take place 27 June to 1 July.

'Our Member Federations have agreed that the introduction of the new two-year cycle for the European Athletics Championships is a positive move for the sport on the continent and they are committed to sending their best available athletes to Helsinki 2012,' said President Wirz. 'Many athletes have already declared that the championships are a part of their plans this summer and for many they are an important part of the qualification process for the London Olympics.'