Gabriel named new IAAF general secretary

Experienced administrator Essar Gabriel has been named the new general secretary of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) replacing the retiring Pierre Weiss, the governing body said on Tuesday.

Gabriel is a former director general of the organising committee for the 2003 Paris World Championships and was responsible for the organisation of the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year.

"With a wealth of experience working in the administration of international sporting bodies, I am convinced that he will be capable of bringing us an outside perspective that will enable us to uncompromisingly assess in those areas that we need to improve as we move forward." IAAF President Lamine Diack said in a statement.

Weiss, who is retiring this year, has served as general secretary since 2006.