Markus Rehm, the reigning IPC World Champion Athlete in Long Jump, met with IAAF General Secretary Jean Gracia, the chair of the IAAF Working Group studying the generic use of prostheses in competition by athletes on Friday (1) at the IAAF Headquarters. The two discussed about the possible joining of Rehm in the IAAF Working Group, which will hold their next meeting this September after the 2016 Rio Summer Games Paralympics are over.
The discussion is said to be extremely constructive as per the press release from the apex Athletics body and Rehm will join the Working group after his appearance at the Summer Paralympics.
The German Para-athlete, Markus Rehm is a Paralympian. The 27 year old German started competing in Long Jump at the age of 20 and became a Long Jump F44 World Champion in 2011. Also known as Blade Jumper, he achievement includes Summer Paralympic Games Gold in Long Jump and Silver in 4x100m relay.
Rehm and the IAAF will work together, through the working group on a rule change proposal to allow athletes using prostheses to compete in a future IAAF World Championships, the aim being London in 2017.
Rehm, London 2012 Paralympic Games Gold Medalist in Long Jump F42-44 and Silver: 4 x 100m Relay T42-46, had jumped 8.40m when winning the IPC World Athletics Championships last year, confirmed he will not be seeking selection for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.