Geneva, 24 November 2011 - The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has made the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) its exclusive media partner for the territories of Europe and Africa for the period 2014-2017.

The newly signed partnership covers all IAAF World Athletic Series competitions, including the IAAF World Athletics Championships 2015, in Beijing, and the IAAF World Athletics Championships 2017, in London.

Under the agreement the EBU will manage the distribution of all media rights on all platforms for all IAAF events from 2014 to 2017.

Lamine Diack, IAAF President, said:

"The EBU was our partner for every edition of the IAAF World Championships from their creation in 1983 right through until 2009 and we are delighted to be partners again. This agreement not only secures the financial future of the athletics movement right through 2017 but is also strategic for the IAAF in guaranteeing maximum coverage of our premium events in key territories."

EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot also expressed his satisfaction:

"I am very pleased with the IAAF decision to re-establish its partnership with the EBU. This demonstrates that the traditional strengths of the EBU combined with its new tailor-made servicing concept are more than ever strong assets for a sport federation like the IAAF. We are convinced this will enable the further development and promotion of Athletics."

Note to editors:

About the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
The EBU serves 85 national media organizations in 56 countries in and around Europe. It represents its Members and promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU Members and other media organizations. Services to Members range from legal advice, technical standardization and development to coproduction and exchange of quality European content.  For more information about the EBU: www.ebu.ch and www.eurovision.net/