Members of the Media Development Programme in Lima (© Oscar Munoz Badilla)
World Athletics recognises and emphasises the essential role of journalists. During the World Athletics U20 Championships Lima 24, 12 young reporters participated in the Media Development Programme (MDP), an immersive experience in collaboration with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) designed to develop journalists specialising in athletics.
This unique programme combined intensive theoretical and practical training, transforming the reporters’ perspectives on the sport and adding valuable expertise to their careers. Journalists from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela came together at the Estadio Atletico la Videna – venue for the World U20 Championships – and engaged in extensive and enriching sessions with presentations, examples and discussions, all while enjoying a privileged view of the track.
Martin Mazur, a freelance Argentinian journalist with more than 25 years of experience, served as the programme’s mentor. Regularly contributing to publications such as El Grafico, FourFourTwo, La Gazzetta dello Sport and The Players’ Tribune, Mazur is also the director of the AIPS Sport Media Awards, organised by the International Sports Press Association.
"Focusing on details, capturing a good story before it slips away, and honing observation skills are some key lessons I took from Martin's sessions," said Alondra Naupari, one of the two reporters from Peru. From pitching stories to understanding the importance of reputation and accuracy in reporting, the programme functioned like a real newsroom for the participants.
“Some of these young journalists were naturally more experienced than others or specialised in specific areas, such as video, photography or print journalism, so we started from scratch with a modular programme. This approach helped them to grow both as a group and individually, stepping out of their comfort zones,” explained Mazur.
For Franco Lomez, from Uruguay, this was a fantastic opportunity. “In journalism, learning is an ongoing journey, and not everyone has the chance to gain insights from leading experts in different areas of the field. Working with Martin enriched us as young reporters and sparked our curiosity to explore other branches of sports journalism.”
Rules
An in-depth understanding of the rules of athletics was essential for reporting at the World U20 Championships. Luca Verrascina, Senior Competition Manager at World Athletics, provided key insights during a tour of the athletics track.
“It was a very interactive experience. I had the chance to ask about everything that caught my attention, and Luca provided personalised answers. Seeing up close the equipment used to measure time, speed and sensors made complex aspects of athletics much easier to grasp,” said Manuela Santos, from Ecuador.
Calendars
World Athletics hosts several major events throughout the year, including the Diamond League and World Championships at both senior and U20 levels, with more exciting competitions on the horizon. Through the efforts of Zacharias Vailakis, Head of Media Operations at World Athletics, the young reporters learned what it takes to organise such large-scale events. "The number of athletes participating is incredible. Athletics is so much more than just individual or speed events," remarked Lucas Nazrala, from Bolivia.
Flash quotes
Preparation for flash quotes, an essential task for sports reporters, was a highlight of the programme. Press Delegate Antonio Carvalho guided the group through the importance of gathering relevant information and handling interviews with athletes.
“The sessions helped me to identify key information from quotes and ask insightful questions. To do that, it’s crucial to understand the profile of the interviewee, something Antonio covered thoroughly,” said Vanessa Galvan from Venezuela.
Peruvian journalist Jose Rivasplata added: “One of the most valuable lessons was understanding how to approach athletes with respect. If they don't wish to speak, they are only required to pass through the mixed zone. Recognising that athletes are people like us was a central message during the flash quotes training.”
Media Development Programme reporters celebrate their certificates in Lima (© Oscar Munoz Badilla)
Digital and social media
The significance of social media was also emphasised during the programme. Laura Arcoleo, Social Media Manager at World Athletics, shared her expertise on how technology and social platforms have transformed communication in the sport.
“Laura's class was eye-opening, particularly seeing the impact of social media on the growth of athletes and the evolution of the federation. It was a fascinating study,” said Itzel Luna from Panama.
Michelle Sammet and Jessica Whittington, from the Communications team at World Athletics, spoke to the young reporters about the work behind compiling statistics and presenting them on global platforms like the World Athletics website.
“Listening to Michelle gave me a new perspective on the importance of digital communication in the growth of athletes and organisations. Optimising resources and creating opportunities,” said Leonardo Hidalgo, from Ecuador.
Jon Ridgeon, CEO of World Athletics, also shared his insights during a half-hour interview with the reporters before the start of the championships.
"It was a great opportunity to speak with Jon about athletics and his career. His advice to love what we do and be passionate about our profession was especially meaningful,” said Mariana Primero, from Colombia.
Emotional experience
The greatest honour for any athlete is to represent their country, but sometimes it doesn't happen due to political conflict. In Lima, young reporters Vanessa Galvan and Rodrigo D’Angelo had the opportunity to listen to and speak with members of the Athlete Refugee Team.
“As a Venezuelan migrant, I feel very grateful to have had the chance to meet the refugee delegation, their coaches, the leaders behind this initiative, and to gain a deeper understanding of the impact World Athletics has had on the lives of these young athletes. I believe this kind of initiative should continue to be replicated,” said Galvan.
D’Angelo added: “Sport has the power to help people facing different adversities. One of the most serious challenges is having to escape from your country just to survive, knowing your life could end at any moment. In the face of such extreme fear and cruelty, sport becomes a ray of hope. That’s exactly what the World Athletics Refugee Team represents.”
Broadcasting
Broadcasting was another key topic, led by Joris Wauman, who explained the intricate work behind televising events like the World U20 Championships.
"We learned how many cameras and specialised technicians are required to broadcast athletics to our screens, whether it’s on TV, laptops, or smartphones,” noted Rodrigo D'Angelo from Argentina.
Certificates
The intensive programme ran from 9am to 9pm, marking a turning point in the careers of the young reporters. After 10 days of challenges, they left with a new perspective on athletics journalism.
The culmination of their hard work was celebrated with the presentation of certificates by Helio Marinho Gesta de Melo, president of Atletismo Sudamericano.
"It was a special moment to receive the certificate from Helio. Athletics in South America is growing, and I thank World Athletics for recognising our region by hosting significant events like the World U20 Championships in Lima," said Sebastian Lasquera from Argentina.
Mazur concluded: “On the first day, we made an oath: it was not important how much we knew about athletics, but how eager we were to tell stories. Knowing all the activities that World Athletics had prepared, I assured them that by the end of the programme, they would not only know much more but also have stronger tools to tell these relevant stories. And they’ve achieved that.”
Participants capped off their experience with a group photo on the track. It was the result of hard work, intense training and dedication — just like athletes with their medals.
“Since launching our Young Reporters Programme in 2011, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has been committed to nurturing the next generation of journalists through seminars in collaboration with top federations across the five continents,” said AIPS President Gianni Merlo. “At AIPS, we strongly believe that sport is culture, and independent journalism is essential to safeguard it against issues like match-fixing, doping and corruption.
“In a time when many media outlets face challenges, the opportunity to learn directly in the field makes a significant difference for young journalists, enabling them to develop their own sources and grow quickly. That's why I liken our programmes to a master’s degree. This year, for this collaboration with World Athletics, we’ve demonstrated the power of AIPS and its vast network of 161 national associations, along with the record participation in the AIPS Sport Media Awards, which helped us select the most suitable young reporters with a keen interest in athletics, to receive a unique learning experience from our mentors, Riccardo Romani and Martin Mazur, in Glasgow, Xiamen and Lima.”
Franco Lomez (Uruguay) and Alondra Naupari (Peru) of the Media Development Programme for World Athletics