Haymarket launches athletics title

by Ann-Marie Corvin, Media Week 04-Jul-08, 14:35

LONDON - Haymarket Network is to launch a tri-annual magazine and website, Spikes, for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The title has been designed to raise the profile and broaden the appeal of athletics, initially in the UK, then across Europe.

Launched yesterday, the 64-page free magazine will be available in Tesco, and those signing up to the www.spikesmag.com website will also receive a copy of the printed title.

The magazine will cover stories about athletes, their achievements and athletics news.

Juliet Slot, managing director at Haymarket Network, Haymarket Media Group customer publishing division, said: "With the 2008 Olympics around the corner, and the 2012 London Games no longer a distant prospect, athletics will benefit hugely from our endeavours to bring appropriate and compelling content to a hugely popular sport".

Nick Davies, IAAF spokesperson, added: "We wanted to reach both 'lapsed' athletics fans and those who do not know enough about the sport yet, other than the negative issues that the media tends to obsess about."