Other hosting cities include New York, Vancouver, Amsterdam, Chicago and the flag will be part of the Cologne Games.

At 12pm Saturday 31 July there will be a special tribute and quilt display (Rheinpark/ Entrance:  Messe West) before the flag makes it final approach to the Opening ceremony of the games. ALL Frontrunners from around the world are invited to attend and carry the flag for part of it’s journey. There will be a short run and we expect many hundreds of runners to attend this important quadrennial event.  Check the CGG website under culture for updates.

That evening the flag will be marched into the arena – we hope to have a “flag party” of about 12 IFR runners from around the globe march into the arena and then allow the world to see the end of the journey around the planet. Host city Cologne Frontrunners will be included but we would love to hear from any IFR members who may like to join the flag party. We need women, men, runners/walkers from around the globe.  Please let me know if you would like to be included – make sure you give me some information about yourself and your involvement in your IFR member club.

Comment here and leave some address for us to contact you.

in Cologne (a meeting room will be arranged near central registration area)

Time – about 10am to 2pm

Actual AM will take place during the day – club representatives are encouraged to attend as it will take approx one hour for the AM.

Remainder of time will be used general discussion – agenda items welcome

NEW clubs encouraged to attend – particularly if you are interested in setting up a new club in your region/city.

- Championship chips will be used at all the events – if you wish to record an official result you will need to either bring your own chip to Cologne (must be Championship brand) or hire a chip at a rental fee of E30 with a refund of E25 at the end of each race.

- You may be able to rent the chip at registration time – check when you register once you arrive at the main centre

- You may be able to rent the chip at each event – expect delays so arrive early to speed up the process

- At this stage you cannot hold onto the chip until the end of the week – so if you are doing multiple events you must hand the chip back each time and rent it before each race

- IFR has lodged a complaint about this issue – we hope Cologne organisers will agree to a once only rental fee of  E5 (pay E30 but receive a refund of E25 at the end of your final event)

- Those runners in the 21k/42K events should be aware that you will be actually participating in a public organised event – over 2000 runners are anticipated to participate – we assume there will be a different system to collect results for Games participants. Medals will awarded to Games participants as always

- Once any news is received we shall keep you posted – so stay tuned

- IFR members should seek additional support for the favourable resolution of this issue. IFR believes it is unfair to add an extra fee to races AFTER so many runners have registered.

- happy and safe training – see you in Cologne

- the IFR conference will be held in Cologne Friday July 30 – details soon!

Wayne Morgan

IFR delegate to FGG

Running co-ordinator Sports committee