In recognition of a lifetime’s dedication to the sport of athletics, especially in the field of development, Amadeo Francis was given the rare honour of the IAAF Golden Order of Merit at the recent IAAF World Athletics Gala in Monaco, under the gaze of IAAF President Lamine Diack, Prince Albert of Monaco and a glittering array of stars including the likes of Carl Lewis, Tyson Gay, Meseret Defar, Haile Gebrselassie, Paula Radcliffe and many others. The IAAF Golden Order of Merit is traditionally given only to Heads of State and legendary athletes, with Carl Lewis being a recipient in the past. IAAF President Diack, upon awarding the title to Mr Francis, said, on live TV, “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 programme the envy of the world.”

2007 World Athletics Gala – (l to r) Jamel Simohamed (IAAF Silver Order of Merit), IAAF President Lamine Diack, Amadeo Francis (IAAF Golden Order of Merit), Sunday 25 November 2007, Monaco.