Four months before the world championships in Moscow, athletics is still riding the wave of the last Olympic Games in a certain euphoria. But the announced withdrawal of Samsung, title partner of the Diamond League, casts doubt on its good health. SO ? FrancsJeux asked a man ideally placed to discuss the future, the Russian Valentin Balakhnichev, treasurer of the IAAF and president of the Russian Athletics Federation.
FrancsJeux : The Luzhniki stadium, the legendary venue for the 1980 Moscow Games, will host the world championships next August. Before closing its doors. What will become of him? Will its athletics track be preserved?
Valentin Balakhnichev: The exteriors of the stadium will remain as they are. Its historical part as well. But as you know, Russia will host the Football World Cup in 2018. The Luzhniki stadium must therefore be brought into compliance with FIFA requirements. And they are very strict, from the slope of the stadium to the spectator seats, including the outdoor leisure areas. But the most important thing is that we have had the assurance that its athletics track will be preserved.
What were the biggest difficulties you encountered during the preparation for the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow?
There are always problems. But we were able to resolve them. These world championships are a very important event for the organizing committee, for the city of Moscow and for the government. These three entities worked closely together. We have made sure to meet all the requirements of the specifications, particularly those relating to the media.
Were you surprised by Samsung's announcement not to extend its partnership with the Diamond League? Has the IAAF already moved to find a replacement for the Korean giant?
This decision did not come as a surprise. Of course, the withdrawal of this partner concerns us, because it contributed for several years to two very important athletics events, the Diamond League and the continental circuit. We will be very actively looking for another partner of the same level. But, immediately, I think we have to thank Samsung for being with us for such a long time.
