24.07.2008

Athletics International

“A sporting moment happens once. A split second in time, captured forever. Such moments live in the minds of the people: who competed, who were there, and who pass their stories from generation to generation.
They shape our collective view of ourselves and our country. They become a blueprint for what we value, an inspiration for all.”

In November 2007  the  Athletics International (AI) Committee agreed  to select the top 10 moments in Australian Athletics. The initial plan was that from this list AI members – and persons eligible for membership - would vote to determine the ‘Top Moment in Australian Athletics’

A Sub Committee made up of Trevor Vincent (AI Committee – S/C chair), Len Johnson  (The Age  sports journalist), and Paul Jenes (Athletics Australia Statistician) was appointed to develop the top 10 moments.

The AI Committee agreed that the moments must be directly related to an athletics event (so no ‘lighting the flame’ type moments)

Trevor, Len, and Paul met a number of times and had regular phone/email exchanges. They sought input widely to establish a ‘long list’, with about 60 moments ultimately identified.

Input was provided by a range of ‘knowledgeable’ persons on their personal top 10, and at their final meeting the Sub Committee agreed on their top 10, after initially cutting the list down to around 15.

‘The Age’ newspaper was quick to show interest in the initiative – and as a result this (Victorian) newspaper will now run the top 10 in the sport pages of next Sunday’s edition (Sunday 27th July). Readers will be asked to vote for their top moment – with the winning moment decided and announced pre the athletics program of the Beijing Olympic Games. The voting will be done electronically – via ‘The Age’ website here – it is hoped a full description of each moment and perhaps footage will be available on this site.

This note is both to alert you to the appearance of the Top Ten Moments in the ‘Sunday Age’ and  to encourage you to cast your vote.