The Athletics Association

The AA was formed in response to the calls from athletes worldwide for independent representation. “The objective of The Athletics Association is to provide Track and Field athletes with a meaningful voice, to fight for stronger athletes’ rights, and to seek an athletes-first approach to our sport,” the association said in a statement released today.

The Athletics Association aims to engage in positive dialogue with the sport’s governing body, World Athletics, and their own athletes’ commission, but will, of course, hold World Athletics to account when necessary and challenge them if they are not acting in the best interest of the athletes.

Fraser-Pryce, who last year, won an unprecedented fourth World 100m title in Doha, Qatar, sits on the board representing the sprints while Miller-Uibo, the 2016 Olympic 400m champion and 2019 400m silver medallist, represents the Americas alongside Mikel Thomas from Trinidad and Tobago.

Four-time World triple jump champion Christian Taylor is the association’s president and steeplechaser Emma Coburn is the vice president.

According to the association’s statement, they have been busy developing a number of support services and member benefits for athletes, including a hardship grant fund, training courses, and discounts on products.

Details of the full annual membership package will be announced ahead of the full roll-out in January 2021.

Chief among their initial goals, TAA said, is the intention to lobby World Athletics and the Diamond League stakeholders regarding the changes to the Diamond League schedule that were announced for 2020. Those changes included removing the 200m, triple jump and discus from the Diamond League circuit relegating those events to a newly formed Continental Series.

“We will offer suggestions and alternatives that would include all stadium disciplines, and would benefit athletes and fans, as well as the long term interests of this diverse and wonderful sport,” the statement said.

They also want to gain a seat at the table with World Athletics to command real involvement and power when it comes to decision-making in the sport, as they look to amplify the voices of its members and athletes all over the world.

They also plan to announce an Athletics Association’s welfare charter, highlighting their commitment to improving the conditions for athletes across a range of issues as well as solidify a membership package that will begin in January 2021 and will offer access to courses on issues such as financial literacy and life after athletics, and also discounts on products.

Critically, they also plan to present World Athletics with innovative ideas for the growth of the sport.

 “I am very proud of the progress made by the members of the Athletics Association Board. Since its initial inception, a lot of work has been put in to establish the right governance and long-term viability that is essential to do justice to the athletes we represent. It’s this that has attracted the commitment and support of the athletes on the Board. We have athletes from every continent, and a wide variety of disciplines; we are made up of Olympic and World champions, as well as world record holders and continental champions, “ said AA President Taylor.

 “In addition to the board members, there are so many other athletes who have helped get us to this stage. World Athletics recently published a strategic plan, and athletes have been identified as key stakeholders. The Athletics Association provides a representative voice and a simple way for the sport’s governing body to follow through on their commitment. We are ready to contribute to the growth of the sport that we love, ensuring that athletes are part of the decision-making process.  This association is for the athletes, by the athletes, and we are determined to make a real difference. We firmly believe that we can affect positive change in our sport. We are ready for the challenge.”

The Athletics Association has also agreed to a strategic partnership with Global Athlete, a progressive athlete start-up movement aiming to inspire greater athlete representation in organisations across the world of sport. The partnership brings together two organisations with similar values to collaborate on projects, share insights and drive change that will ultimately benefit the athletes and the sport.

“Global Athlete is proud to be a partner with the Athletics Association. Establishing an independent association is a critical step in enhancing athletes’ rights. It is so important for athletes to have their own representation” said Rob Koehler, Global Athlete Director-General.

 “The sport of athletics needs to find a new and exciting path for success. This success can only be possible with real meaningful athlete engagement. Athletes have the desire to further grow the sport while at the same time ensuring the utmost care is given to athletes’ rights. Together we are stronger.” said Emma Coburn, The Athletics Association Vice-President.

 The Athletics Association Board is made up of representatives from every continent and comprises 24 athletes, including individual global champions: Christian Taylor (President) Emma Coburn (Vice-President), Allyson Felix, Ashton Eaton, Julius Yego, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Tianna Bartoletta and Tom Walsh.

The 33-year-old Fraser-Pryce, who is at the back end of an illustrious career, won an unprecedented fourth World 100m title in Doha, Qatar in September 2019 to go along with a 200m title in 2013, and two Olympic 100m titles during a decade of dominance.

However, she recognises that the inequities that exist within the struggling sport of track and field make life difficult for many of those who have not enjoyed a similar level of success. The Athletics Association will seek to address many of these issues as well as attempt to restore the sport to its former glory.

“The objective of The Athletics Association is to provide Track and Field athletes with a meaningful voice, to fight for stronger athletes’ rights, and to seek an athletes-first approach to our sport,” the association said in a statement released today.

The statement said the Athletics Association aims to engage in positive dialogue with the sport’s governing body, World Athletics, and their own athletes’ commission, but will, of course, hold World Athletics to account when necessary and challenge them if they are not acting in the best interest of the athletes.

It is a mandate that falls in line with the objectives of woman many consider to be the greatest-ever female sprinter.

“Years ago, I resolved that I wanted to leave the sport better than I found it. It is the reason I created my Pocket Rocket Foundation to effect lasting change for student-athletes at the secondary level. Of course, to truly impact the sport requires an international platform so when the opportunity to be a part of The Athletics Association presented itself, I jumped at the chance,” Fraser-Pryce told Sportsmax.TV Thursday shortly after the association released its statement.

“Representation matters. It’s the only way for us athletes to have a voice. The 24-member strong team is a diverse one and knowing that the Caribbean region will have a seat at the table is encouraging.”

Like the association’s founder and president, Christian Taylor, Fraser-Pryce believes some decisions made at the administrative level of track and field have only served to hurt athletes who are already struggling to put food on their tables while facing bleak financial futures. The association, she said, will work to address the problematic issues that she feels work against the key stakeholders, its athletes.

“Competing is our livelihood, so issues that deny athletes the participation to earn a living will be addressed. An example of that is the IAAF’s decision to eliminate certain field events from the Diamond League schedule,” she said.

A number of Caribbean athletes - Fedrick Dacres, Anderson Pieters, Danielle Thomas Dodd and Shanieka Ricketts - are just some of the athletes negatively impacted by recent World Athletics decisions.

“This has significantly impacted the earning power of the affected athletes and what I consider a disservice to them and the spirit of the athletic community. Years of training is invested in improving our performance in our respective sporting arenas so it’s crucial that we protect the culture of inclusion,” said Fraser-Pryce, who represents the sprints on the board.

“To command change requires collaboration and this is exactly what The Athletes Association represents and why I did not hesitate to step up. We are all still actively competing and can readily identify the issues that need to be addressed. The Caribbean has always been at a disadvantage as it relates to sporting infrastructure and training limitations. So finally having the chance to be heard. This is a step in the right direction.”