7 April 2014

The second annual Women in World Athletics seminar took place this weekend at Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth. More than 50 officials from over 20 countries attended the seminar, which was hosted by British Athletics and European Athletics.

The seminar began on the Friday evening with an introduction from Sylvia Barlag of European Athletics, who welcomed the delegates and provided an outline of the initiative’s aims.

She said: “Both organisations show their commitment to women in leadership positions in athletics. We want to create a group of women that will sustain itself and grow in a chain reaction.”

Guest speaker Baroness Sue Campbell then took to the stage to talk about leadership and her own journey, including her time as Chair of UK Sport during London 2012.

She spoke of the importance of trust and authenticity in leaders and encouraged all of the delegates to step up to leadership roles by using the metaphor of Mount Everest with the women now at base camp.