Vice President's Column

At the ICF, we are working hard on sustainable development and being successful in this area. This requires time and enlarging the universe of our athletes and coaches, with women and men in both groups. 

Success is for these athletes to be at the Olympic Games but it is also important for them to participate at continental and regions events where they can show improvements at a world class level. 

While at the world level they could be eliminated early, they can reach a final at their continent or even better at their regions where they can make a real difference. 

The Talent Identification Programmes (TIPs) help to improve the technique of the athletes and the knowledge of the coaches.  

It is important to highlight the role of the host National Federations that support the ICF with large amounts of resources.  

Without that support, it would be very difficult for the ICF to host so many TIP camps. The results are good, there is no doubt. It is also important to see that when and if the beneficiary NF understands the real meaning of the TIP camp, the benefit happens, and the success shall not only be seen as athletes qualifying for the Olympic Games.  

Another key aspect of any project is planning. Our TIP camps have reached a high level in planning leaving no room for improvisation. I would strongly urge National Federations not to request to admit only men as it is vitally important that they stick to the rules by ensuring women are given an equal opportunity. If they all abide by the rules from the very beginning that would permit the continuation of the planning with no unfair alterations. 

The Sustainable Development Programme takes a long time and repetition and of course improvement on our doing. It is also connected with universality.  This is a concept that has been put back but I personally feel incoherent to speak about a peaceful world that works together if we would not give opportunities to the ones that do not have them.  

By Cecilia Farias, Vice President of the ICF