ATHLETICS

Bobsledding stint paves way to gold

Long jumper Tianna Bartoletta believes a spell with the US national bobsled team helped her rediscover the form that led to her renaissance.

The 30-year-old stunned defending champion Brittney Reese tow in Wednesday's final, taking gold with a monster leap of 7.17m.

It was the latest milestone in a remarkable comeback for Bartoletta, who won a world champion-ship in 2005 only to fade from the international scene as she struggled to control her weight.

At the 2012 London Olympics she won a gold medal as part of the US 4x100m relay team, but it was a stint as a bobsledder later that year that was to prove pivotal in her return to the long jump runway.

"The bobsled was all about acceleration," Bartoletta said.

Gers taking over IAAF's top post

Olivier Gers has been hired as the new CEO of athletics' world governing body.

The International Association of Athletics Federations said the 46-year-old Frenchman brings more than 20 years of commercial, marketing and media experience to the federation.

He is currently global president of LiquidThread, a division of Publicis Media Group, in Britain.

The appointment comes with the federation trying to rebuild credibility after a series of corruption and doping scandals.

Gers said the IAAF is a "multi-million-dollar business that needs to stay relevant, build its fan base and re-establish trust."

He starts the new job on Oct 1.