Coaches to get medals at London IAAF World Championships

Jun 10, 2017

Uganda Athletics Federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru was excited with the development.

Coaches will start sharing in the limelight of their winning athletes following a decision to award medals to tacticians behind stars who win silverware at the World Championships.

Since time immemorial, coaches have remained in the shadow of their medal winning athletes at all major international track and field competitions. This is going to change starting with the Worlds next August in London.

A statement issued by the IAAF late April, said it was only fair that coaches are recognised for their behind the scenes work in preparing athletes for competition.

Uganda's most decorated athlete Stephen Kiprotich has been under the tutelage of senior Uganda Prisons officer Nalis Bigingo for years.

"The medals, gifted to successful athletes once they return from their ceremony, will be for them to hand to their coach or significant advisor in recognition of the unique and valued working relationship between athlete and coach," the IAAF and Local Organising Committee of the London World Championships said in a statement.

Uganda Athletics Federation secretary Beatrice Ayikoru was equally excited with the development.

"Often coaches do not get the credit they deserve. It is very good to recognise the efforts of coaches in preparing an athlete for competition," she said.

"Unlike coaches, managers are by law entitled to 15% of an athlete's earnings. So unless a coach is part of the management team, they may not benefit much on that front," Ayikoru stressed.

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