MicrO in the Middle Distance Final

In connection with the International Orienteering Federation’s decision to introduce ‘MicrO’ at the World Orienteering Championships in 2006, the event Organisers have issued the following statement:

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) Council decided at its meeting during the recent 2005 World Championships (WOC) in Japan to authorise the inclusion of MicrO in the Middle Distance Final of the 2006 WOC in Denmark.

The decision was taken with three conditions attached:

1. That a contract is signed between the WOC Organisers and the involved broadcasting companies concerning comprehensive coverage of the 2006 WOC.

2. That the IOF Foot Orienteering Committee (FOC), in co-operation with the WOC 2006 Senior Event Adviser (SEA) and the Organisers, and in consultation with the IOF Rules Commission, works out official rules for MicrO. These rules shall be published by the end of this year.

3. That FOC in co-operation with the Organisers ensures that widespread opportunities to practise MicrO are available prior to the WOC. The plans shall be published by the end of this year.

WOC 2006 is confident that the three conditions attached to the decision can be met. A number of practical and economic issues have to be negotiated with the broadcasting companies involved before an agreement can be finalised. A final decision to include MicrO in WOC 2006 is dependent on a successful outcome to these negotiations.

With reference to condition 2, the form of MicrO to be used will be based on, but will not necessarily be exactly the same as the concept developed within the Norwegian Orienteering Federation and used at this year’s Nordic Championships.

Fairness for all potential WOC competitors is of course vital, and we will do everything we can to give all runners maximum opportunity to prepare, through both training exercises and events. The WOC Organisers will be happy to receive constructive input which will help implement the decision with the maximum of success.

It is our intention to move forward with our plans as quickly as possible. Information will be regularly updated on our website www.woc2006.dk.