Dacres welcomes assistance from World Athletics

World Championships silver medallist discuss thrower Fedrick Dacres has welcomed World Athletics (WA) assistance in helping athletes who have been severely affected financially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Athletics governing body announced yesterday in a press release the creation of a fund in conjunction with the International Athletics Foundation (IAF) with an initial starting point of $US500,000 (J$70.2 million). WA President Sebastian Coe said that the fund would assist those who have had their income lost as a result of the postponement of international meets.

Dacres believes that the move shows that the concerns of the athletes are being heard and addressed at a time where their financial future is uncertain.

"I think it is a good initiative because they are hearing the cries of the athletes as based on what I've seen, times are getting hard," Dacres told STAR Sports. "People are saying that they may have to get a 9-5. So I think the initiative is needed, and it shows that the association and the fans virtually are watching what's going on and they actually care."

Regional working group

According to the release, the money to start the fund was allocated using resources from the IAF 2020 and 2021 budgets. Coe will chair a "multiple regional working group" consisting of WA board members, IAF board members and WA Athletes Commission members that will discuss how the funds will be dispersed and how more funds can be raised.

Dacres says that while the initial sum is a good start and that more will be needed, he is grateful that action is being taken to address the problem.

"I know that they need more because a lot of athletes are making close to that. I don't know how much more than that they can get. But it's that thought that really counts," he says. "In the end, we are getting something that helps us during this time, and I think that we should be thankful and grateful for the help."

Among the meets postponed or cancelled are seven event on the Diamond League circuit and various events on World Continental Tour, including the Racers Grand Prix, a Gold-level event which was postponed earlier this month.