Dec. 28, 2007 – Amadeo Francis, former council member of the International Association of Athletic Federation; former IAAF area representative to North America, Central America and the Caribbean; president of NACAC and technical delegate to Olympic Games competitions; and founder and developer of numerous athletic entities, was honored by the IAAF in Monaco at the World Athletics Gala, Nov. 25, according to a press release from the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation.
On behalf of the VITFF "we send him our heartfelt congratulations for all he has done for our sport…" said Ronald Russell, president and Wallace Williams, general secretary.
'In recognition of a lifetime's dedication to the sport of track and field, especially in the field of development, Amadeo Francis was given the rare honor of the IAAF Golden Order of Merit at the recent IAAF gala, under the gaze of IAAF President Lamine Diack, Prince Albert of Monaco and an array of stars that included Carl Lewis, Tyson Gay, Meseret Defar, Haile Gebrselassie, Paula Radcliffe and many others. The Golden Order is traditionally given only to heads of state and legendary athletes, such as past recipient Carl Lewis.
Upon awarding the title to Francis, Diack said, "This man has been working at my side on the IAAF Council since 1976. For me, Amadeo Francis is the man who made our athletics development program the envy of the world."
For information, contact: 643-2557 or e-mail: isv@mf.iaaf.org
