IAU President Nadeem Khan attended the 2026 Taipei Ultra Marathon that is IAU Gold Label race, joining Frank Kuo—who serves both as the President of the Chinese Taipei Association of Ultrarunners (CTAU) and the IAU Asia & Oceania Representative—to oversee the competition and engage in high-level sports diplomacy.
Nadeem Khan and Frank Kuo met with the Deputy Minister of Sports, James Cheng. Drawing on the Minister's deep roots in the Athletics Federation and his longstanding support for the CTAU, the discussions focused on a landmark initiative: the formal establishment of IAU Asia & Oceania. Inspired by the successful organizational model of IAU Africa, this move is designed to provide the region with a dedicated governing structure, fostering standardized competition and localized support for athletes across the continent.
Nadeem and Frank also engaged in a productive session with the Vice President of the Olympic Committee. This meeting was instrumental in further securing ultrarunning's prominence within the national and international sporting frameworks. By aligning the IAU’s goals with the Olympic Committee’s vision, the delegation worked to ensure that major ultramarathon events are firmly rooted in the Chinese Taipei sporting calendar, paving the way for greater institutional recognition and collaborative growth.
Reflecting the modern evolution of the sport, Frank invited Nadeem to a sports environmental sustainability seminar that took place at University of Tainan. The seminar provided vital insights into how international races can lead the charge in eco-conscious event management. This visit highlights the IAU's dedication to ensuring that the expansion of ultrarunning in Asia and Oceania is not only successful but also aligns with global sustainability standards. This initiative was initiated back in 2023 during IAU 24H World Championships in Taipei.
