Mile News


IAAF, CGF consider restoring Mile to Commonwealth Games athletics program

April 08, 2018

The Mile "is something that we have been talking with the IAAF about recently, particularly with the passing of Roger Bannister."

By Nick Butler, InsideTheGames.biz

A Mile race could be added to the program for future editions of the Commonwealth Games as part of a broader attempt to embrace the heritage of athletics.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe spoke enthusiastically about such a plan here today when asked about possible innovations.

The Mile featured on the program at all editions of the event up to Kingston 1966, when it was replaced by the 1500 meters or metric Mile for the 1970 Games.

It is not yet clear if a restored Mile would sit alongside, or instead of, the 1500, although the latter scenario seems more likely due to the similarities between the events.

"We have had the thought of introducing the Mile back into the Commonwealth [Games] and I have an ambition to create and celebrate our own heritage, because often we have events that are the bedrock of our history," Coe said.

"Some of the great moments in track & field have been established in a Commonwealth Games.

"We still talk about the Miracle Mile, 1954 in Vancouver, these are indelible moments."

The Miracle Mile saw England's Sir Roger Bannister beat Australian rival John Landy at Vancouver 1954 in the first race in which two men broke the 4 minute barrier.

Continue reading at: insidethegames.biz

Tags: sebastian coe (50) , roger bannister (175) , miracle mile (20) , john landy (35) , iaaf (15) , commonwealth games (16) , bbtm news (207)

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Return the Mile to prominence on the American & worldwide sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a movement.

ELEVATE
Bring Back the Mile as the premier event in the sport, and increase interest in and media coverage of the Mile for both those who love the distance as well as the general public.

CELEBRATE
Bring Back the Mile to celebrate the storied distance and to recognize the people who made and make the Mile great and to promote Mile events and the next generation of U.S. Milers.

NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Bring Back the Mile to create a national movement for the Mile as America’s Distance,
to inspire Americans to run the Mile as part of their fitness program and to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Track & Field Meets across the country.

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