Posted by Hopwood Wendy
Stawell Gift announced as a recipient of World Athletics Heritage Plaque by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Date: 10th May 2019
Stawell Gift announced as a recipient of World Athletics Heritage Plaque by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
IAAF President Sebastian Coe has announced that the Stawell Gift is among 11 new locations for the IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque at an official ceremony in Yokohama, Japan on the eve of the IAAF World Relays.
“Permanent reminders of outstanding historic athletic achievement”
“The eleven recipients we honour have each made an enormous impact in the historical development of the sport of athletics in their countries and beyond,” said Sebastian Coe. “The IAAF launched this new award last December and a public competition has since designed the plaque. Next year we will begin to unveil the plaques, permanent reminders of outstanding historic athletic achievement, in prominent locations around the world.”
IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque
The Plaque is a location-based recognition which highlights, celebrates and links together iconic and historic athletics careers, cities, competitions, culture, landmarks, performances and venues around the world.
“The Stawell Gift is an icon of Australian sport woven into the fabric of Australian culture. The Stawell Athletic Club committee works tirelessly to deliver such a significant event that the people of Stawell, Victoria and Australia can be proud of,’ said Darryle Harrison, President of the Stawell Athletic Club
“The announcement of the Stawell Gift as a location for an IAAF World Athletics Heritage plaque is a celebration of the efforts of the committee members, athletes, spectators, supporters and sponsors throughout the history of the event who have made a contribution to what the Stawell Gift is.
“It is with immense pride and gratitude that we accept this honour and look forward with excitement to the unveiling of the plaque at the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame in 2020.”
Among the other recipients at tonight’s announcement include The Penn Relays (USA), the Hakone Ekiden (JPN) founded in 1920, the Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF) in Berlin, Germany, established in 1921 and the world’s oldest invitational one-day meeting, and the Weltklasse Zürich (founded 1928), known originally as the ‘Nurmi’ meeting and more recently dubbed the ‘Olympics in one day’.
Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council, Cr Kevin Erwin said, “Everyone involved with the Stawell Gift should be thoroughly congratulated, to be in such elite company is a great honour.”
“The town of Stawell should also be incredibly proud to be a part of this 141-year old event, as this really is the pinnacle of recognition for this prestigious event.”
IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque
A uniquely designed plaque will be permanently and publicly displayed at the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame.
The Plaque is awarded for an outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track & field and of out of stadia athletics: https://www.iaaf.org/heritage/plaque-criteria
The only other Australian recipient of the IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque is legendary athlete, Betty Cuthbert.
List of Plaques: https://www.iaaf.org/heritage/plaque
Location of Plaques (when unveiled in 2020): https://www.iaaf.org/heritage/plaque-locations
The 138th edition of the Stawell Gift was held on April 20-22, 2019, with Dhruv Rodrigues Chico winning the Visit Grampians Stawell Gift and Alexia Loizou claiming the crown in the Strickland Family Women’s Gift. The 139th edition of the Stawell Gift will take place in Stawell, Victoria on April 11-13, 2020.
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