10 September 2007

European Athletics is delighted to announce a new award, recognising the future stars of the sport in Europe. The online poll to choose the winners of the 2007 Waterford Crystal European Athletics Rising Star is now open.

Voting takes place on the European Athletics website until 17 September 2007 from a shortlist including all the individual champions from this summer’s European Athletics Junior & U23 Championships, as well as other athletes under the age of 23 who performed exceptionally well this year.

Winners will be decided by votes from the general public, media, European Athletics Member Federations, and a panel of experts, with the results from each group of voters counting for one quarter of the athlete’s final score.

Each voter must select their five preferred athletes and rank them in order of priority.

Members of the public who vote will be automatically entered into a prediction competition. Entrants who have voted for the top three male and female athletes in the correct order in the poll will be entered into a draw to win an expenses paid trip for two to the SPAR European Cup in Annecy on June 21-22 2008. There will also be some runners-up prizes.

Speaking about the new award, European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz said:

"European Athletics has always focused resources on the development of the next generation of athletes. 2007 was a special year for the youth of Europe as we introduced an U23 category at our European Cross Country Championships and held very successful Junior & U23 Championships in Hengelo and Debrecen respectively. I think you will find a number of future Olympic & World Champions on the nomination form and we look forward to seeing who will win the inaugural Waterford Crystal European Athletics Rising Star Awards for 2007."

The winners of the Waterford Crystal European Athletics Rising Star along with the winners of the Waterford Crystal European Athletes of the Year will be invited to receive their awards at the European Athletics Calendar Conference in Malta on October 12th.

The nominations for the Waterford Crystal European Athletes of the Year will be available next week.

To get involved and for more information click the appropriate link:

Public Voting Form

Media Voting Form

Member Federation Voting Form