Essar Gabriel Named as New General Secretary of IAAF

Pierre Weiss’s retirement has led to Essar Gabriel named as his successor as the new general secretary of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), it has been announced.

The Frenchman is to take over his compatriot Weiss, who is retiring after 20 years working for the world athletics governing body.

Gabriel, 43, was director general of the Organising Committee for the successful 2003 World Championships in·Paris and recently held the post of Director of the Youth Olympic Games for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), overseeing last year’s successful first event in Singapore. 

He was also the chief operating officer of Paris’ unsuccessful bid to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, which were awarded to London.

Weiss, 64, announced his decision to step down several months ago after taking over the post in 2006 following the death of Hungary’s Istvan Gyulai.

Gabriel has been chosen to succeed Weiss by IAAF President Lamine Diack, whose choice has been endorsed by the ruling Council, who are meeting on the eve of the World Championships which open on Saturday August 27.

Diack said: “With a wealth of experience working in the administration of international sporting bodies, I am convinced that he will be capable of bringing us an outside perspective that will enable us to uncompromisingly assess in those areas that we need to improve as we move forwards.”