Russian President Medvedev awards ‘Order of Friendship’ to IAAF President Lamine Diack
Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, presented the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) President, Lamine Diack, with the ‘Russian Order of Friendship’ award in recognition to his outstanding contribution and developmental initiatives
to promote athletics in Russia. The distinction was awarded in Moscow, Russia, on November 22.
The ceremony was held among a group of international sports leaders at President Medvedev’s official residency in Gorki-9, which is situated 18 km west of Moscow. The ‘Order of Friendship’ has also been bestowed on a number of renowned names like President
of the International Ice Hockey Federation, Rene Fasel, International Olympic Committee President, Jacques Rogge and President of the International Weightlifting Federation, Tamash Ayan, for the development of the popularity of sports by their respective
international sports bodies within Russia.
Russian President, Medvedev said, “You're doing a great deal to popularise the sports governed by the international federations over which you preside, In Russia, these sports have a huge number of athletes, and of course a huge army of fans. I would like
to cordially congratulate you on receiving this state award.”
He added, “Our national track and field team in Korea won nine gold medals, thus repeating the brilliant achievement of the national team of the Soviet Union at the 1991 World Championships. The runner Maria Savinova was honoured as the European Athlete
of the Year”.
IAAF President, Lamine Diack, hailing from Senegal has been honoured with many other distinctions for his contribution and efforts in his respective service designations. During his active sports career, he was the French/West African long jump Champion
and also the Record Holder from the year 1957-1960.
In 1958, he engraved a leap of 7.63 metres, to become the French Champion in the long jump category. In 1959, with a stride of 7.72 metres, he clinched another win to become the French University long jump Champion.
Diack is also a key member of the International Olympic Committee, as from the year 1999-to date, he serves as an International Olympic Committee Member. From 1985-2002, he also served as President of the National Olympic and Sport Committee of Senegal (CNOSS).
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