The Beirut Marathon Association (BMA) is a non-profit non-governmental organization registered under Lebanon's Ministry of Youth and Sports. BMA was founded in August 2001 with the purpose of organizing the annual Beirut International Marathon in Lebanon.  ( http://www.beirutmarathon.org/)   The Beirut International Marathon (BIM) is an annual event that takes place every October in Beirut. The first ever BIM was held on October 19, 2003 and attracted over 6,000 runners.  In addition to promoting running, health, and personal achievement, the BIM also has a humanitarian dimension that aims at making a difference in other people's lives through sports. 

 

The Beirut Marathon will take place on November 13, 2005.  Yesterday GME received a press release that Lebanon's LG.B.T. Organization, HELEM  (www.helem.net) was denied participation in parts of the Beirut Marathon.  After checking, we learned that HELEM was not going to be permitted to partake in the" Marathon Village" – an exhibition held within the week prior to the race – which will include sports and recreational activities, as well as displaying information about companies, organizations .

 

GME contacted Mrs. Sara Nefr, (media, travel and publications director of the Marathon) in order to clarify the situation.  As is GME policy, we check every story prior to putting it up on the web. 

 

"The Marathon is open for all those interested in participating" explained Mrs Nefr to GME.  "We encourage all people to participate and we do not prohibit anyone's entry to the Marathon."  Mrs. Nefr was surprised when we read to her HELEM'S press release that they were not being permitted to participate.

 

 "Regarding the part of the event called Marathon Village, possibly there were technical problems" Mrs. Nefr explained regarding HELEM'S request to participate.  "This portion is reserved for various organizations and the display of each their merchandise." She promised to check the situation and to get back to us.  

 

After ten minutes, Mrs. Nefr phoned us back and advised us that there will be "no problem for HELEM to participate in the Marathon Village."  

 

"We were shocked," stated Georges Azzi of HELEM  "that a week after registering and paying for a display at the Marathon Village that we were denied participation."  "This is the reason we turned to the media" continued Georges.  In light of GME's conversation with Mrs. Nefr and her positive response, George Azzi has happily advised us at GME that  HELEM'S lawyers are already in contact with those of the Marathon in order to finalize details of HELEM'S full participation.  It appears that some stories do have happy endings.

 

GME will keep you up to date with this developing story....