15th April 2013 00:58
In line with European Athletics' long-term strategy to bring all activities linked to athletics under one roof, from high-performance events and competitions to athletics-related activities that are serving society, the Congress clarified the definition of 'athletics' in the Constitution to the following:
'Athletics is defined as running, walking, throwing and jumping in all forms, sometimes regulated by rules, exercised for its own end both competitively and non-competitively, indoors and out outdoors on various surfaces.'
A key objective of European Athletics leading up to the Congress had been to review the whole governance of its structure, including the Constitution, regulations and organisational structure, to bring European Athletics in line with modern, future-oriented and efficient associations.
As a result, Congress agreed to limit the number of mandates served by European Athletics Presidents to three terms.
The reasoning behind the proposal by the Council to the Congress was that for the long-term success of organisations it is necessary to have new ideas and energy in the leadership. The only limit to the time a European Athletics President may serve before Saturday's decision was the age at which a candidate is no longer eligible to take part in an election (70 years).
It was agreed that a three-term limit would better help to ensure European Athletics remains dynamic and responsive to the needs of its Member Federations and the sport.
The Congress also decided to dissolve the use of the term 'Committee' and replace it with 'Commission'. Henceforth the European Athletics Competition Committee and Development Committee will be known as the Competition Commission and Development Commission.
It was agreed that the European Athletics Council will appoint all members of all European Athletics commissions in order to secure quality and flexibility, taking into account the consultancy function of the positions.
The composition of these commissions will remain unchanged until the next Congress in 2015.
The two new Commissions along with the nine existing Commissions form the prime advisory body to the European Athletics Council.