John Lister became only the second Briton after the late Sir Arthur Gold to receive the IAAF Plaque of Merit at the 46th IAAF congress in Osaka during the recent World Championships.
The Cardiff stalwart, received the award in recognition of his contribution to athletics as a competitor and administrator at club, Welsh, UK and at European level for 48 years, but primarily for his work with the European Athletics Association.
He was the UK representative on the General Council of the European Athletics Association for three four-year terms between 1995 and earlier this year, when he decided to stand down, being replaced by triple jump word record holder Jonathan Edwards. Amongst his many roles at the European Athletics Association he was the officer responsible for the organisation of the European Athletics Championships in Munich in 2002 and Gothenburg 2006.
Between 1986 and 1999, he was treasurer of the governing body for athletics in the UK.
Despite being involved at the highest level in athletics administration he has still found time to be involved in grass roots athletics. He was treasurer of Cardiff AAC, and its predecessor, Birchgrove (Cardiff) Harriers - apart for a 2 year break - between 1966 and 2006, to make him one of the longest serving officials in UK club athletics. Latterly, he has led the discussions with Cardiff City Council on behalf of Cardiff AAC for the transfer of the club’s headquarters from the old Leckwith Stadium to the new athletics facility across the road.
During his competitive career, he won 12 Welsh athletics titles between 1963 and 1966.
Please contact Clive Williams (07974 176229) for any further information
NOTE: The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the world governing body for athletics.
