Dubai: Lamine Diack, President of the International Athletics Amateur Federation (IAAF), said that the athletes who take up nationality of other countries, must not take part in international tournaments for their 'new' countries unless three years have elapsed from the date of getting the new nationality.

Diack was speaking at a press conference held yesterday at Burj Al Arab, attended by Naser Moraddad, chairman of UAE Athletics Federation. Abdul Aziz Al Atiya, the sports and youth department manager at the GCC general secretariat, Dahlan Al Hamad, IAAF board member and Qatar athletics association's chairman, and other members of the GCC athletics organising committee were also present.

Dr Abdullah Abdul Karim, financial manager of the UAE association, welcomed the IAAF president in a short speech.

"This is a bigger danger than using drugs. Some athletes who change their nationality are also changing their names and their birthdates. The IAAF will not allow this and impose severe sanctions against them because this is a kind of forgery," said the IAAF President.

Guest of honour

Diack said that any athlete must spend three years before he represents his new country. "Unless the two athletics associations agree to settle the issue and the IAAF has accepted that agreement, the athlete concerned cannot represent his new country," he said.

The IAAF President will attend the 16th GCC Cross Country Championships, to be held at the Al Safa Park in Dubai today, following an invitation by the UAE AF.

"I am happy with the development of athletics in the GCC countries. Today the six GCC countries will compete in the cross country championships and this will be the first step to prepare your athletes in a systematic manner for the international tournaments."

Diack praised the GCC countries for taking more care for athletics. "The GCC countries are doing well and giving more care for athletics. Most of the GCC countries win medals in the Olympic Games and the World Championships. This could not have been achieved without good support from the governments and the excellent preparation of athletes."

Diack hoped to see the GCC countries hosting World Championships in future. "My dream is to see a true globalisation of athletics. I was very pleased with Qatar hosting many athletics events with world class and Olympic champions taking part."

The IAAF President said that he hoped athletics will be the No 1 sport in the schools. "We have a plan until 2012 when we celebrate the centennial of the IAAF, which was established in 1912, to take athletics in schools.

"We can pick up and train the athletes from a young age as that will help create champions in the future. We in the IAAF formed a special committee to follow up practising athletics in schools. "From next year, we have decided to introduce an annual athletics day in schools."

Diack wished all success to the participating teams from the GCC countries in the 16th Cross Country Championships.

"I am sure that it will be a very successful championship and I wish all the participants good luck." concluded the IAAF President.