While in Malta, Mr Christian Milz explained the various decisions taken during the Congress of member associations held in Cannes, France, namely the overhaul and expansion of competition structure, which means that the outdoor European Athletics Championships will start to take place on even years instead of every four years, starting in 2012.

The Championships will start to take place at the same time as the US Olympic trials and would contain all standard stadium events over a period of five days. Among other innovations Mr Milz stressed the introduction of a European Team Championship to replace the current European Cup which will be expanded into a 12-team competition.