LS No doudt inspired by questions as were on this list, the EAA issued a statement august 14 about the participation of Israeli athletes in the European Championships (and European cups, etcetera). I include that message below, Regards, Wilmar Kortleever
European Athletic News Following message is new in our newsboard: Date: 14. 8. 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------ Participation of Israeli Athletes in the European Championships Is Israel a European Country? Why is it possible that Alex Averbukh can become European Champion in the pole vault whereas Israel geographically is an Asian country? The answer is given by the political circumstances. Due to the political situation in that area Isreael was for many years not allowed to compete in any Asian Games or Championships. Israel's athletes were totally banned from any sport activity exept the Olympic Games. This was against the rules of any sport organisation because Israel had the right to be admitted to these competitions. In order to solve this matter some International Sport Federations admitted Israel to be Member of their European Association. The first federation to do so was the International Basketball Federation and slowly all the others, including athletics, followed: On the request of the IAAF, based on the decision of the IAAF Congress in Stuttgart (August 1993) Israel was affiliated to the EAA by the EAA Congress in Venice (October 1993). Since then Israel's athletes compete in the European Championships and Cup events. Now Alex Averbukh became the first Israeli athlete to win a European Championships title outdoor. He had already won a European Indoor title in the pole vault (Gent 2000). Till Lufft, General Secretary EAA Quelle: EAA Office Darmstadt Lee Nichols schreef: > >I was wondering during the Euro championships why Israel was part of Europe. > >Geographically it's in Asia and Jordan plays in the Asian soccer > >confederation. Is this just because the Middle Eastern countries and Israel > >don't want to compete against each other for security and political > >concerns? > > > Actually, I asked this same question a few weeks ago, before you > joined the list, Bret. Garry Hill and some others told me that it was > basically that -- the Asian countries say they can't guarantee the > safety of the Israeli athletes, and have said so for several years, > apparently. After petitioning to be admitted to the European games > for several years, the request was granted a few years ago. > -- > Lee Nichols > Assistant News Editor > The Austin Chronicle > 512/454-5766 ext. 138 > fax 512/458-6910 > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
