Top UK starter for MAAA course

The Malta Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the athletics part in the Games of the Small States of Europe, in Malta next June, will be a complete success.

Apart from the preparation of athletes, who are the main protagonists of the Games, the association is also preparing its technical officials and starters involved in the GSSE.

Following a two-day course for technical officials, the association has now arranged to have Alan Bell, UK Starters Peer Group chairman, to help train a small team of starters next weekend.

Bell has been acting as starter at international events for the last 12 years now, including three Europa Cup finals, World Cup final, Commonwealth Games and European Youth Olympics. He will also act as chief starter in the forthcoming World Indoor Championships in Birmingham next month.

The new False Start Rule, which was approved during the IAAF general meeting in Canada, became effective on January 1 this year. This rule puts more pressure on both athletes and starters, particularly in the sprints.

To ensure fairness and efficiency in the GSSE, the MAAA is currently making arrangements to procure the electronic False Start Judging System which helps starters to detect even the slightest pressure on the blocks before the gun is fired.

Bell is currently assisting the IAAF in the preparation of the necessary protocols for the operation of the new start rules.

Meanwhile, the MAAA have just issued the latest edition of The Athlete magazine.

This issue includes an updated version of national records in all age categories, a calendar of events for 2003 and 2004, an item on the Sharp Award standards for young athletes and a list of medals in athletics in previous GSSEs, compiled by Lewis Portelli.