Daegu 2011 logo (© IAAF.org)
There are 100 days to go until the IAAF World Championships, Daegu, Korea (27 Aug to 4 Sep), and the host city is holding a special countdown event today to celebrate this significant milestone as the 13th edition of these biennial championships, the pinnacle of the IAAF World Athletics Series of competitions, draws ever closer.
To mark the occasion IAAF President Lamine Diack has issued the following message to the people of Korea -
“As we move ever closer to the championships, the eyes of the sporting world are turning towards your host city and Korea.”
“The 2011 IAAF World Championships ranks second only to the FIFA World Cup as a single sport event which can bring together 2000 athletes from 200 countries and territories.”
“This year there are no bigger sporting championships in the world than Daegu 2011.”
“One week ago the seventh edition of the Colorful Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting took place. The results of the meeting gave us a taste of what we can expect later this year, while the excellent organisation of this official test event confirmed that the city is ready to welcome the world’s best.”
“Since last December, Daegu Stadium now boasts a bright blue coloured track which is the fastest, most up to date Mondo surface in the world. With new giant screens installed and a new warm-up area close to the venue opening soon, we can confidently say the facilities are world class and are ready.”
“When I visited Daegu last month for the IAAF Council meeting I was struck by the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone to make the World Championships an outstanding success. Just as Daegu’s colorful metropolitan city brand is integrated into the designs of these World Championships, everything from the posters to the mascot and the medals, so the city’s two and half million citizens have taken this event to their hearts.”
“Since last June the general public have been measuring and improving their athletics fitness by walking, jogging and running on the ‘2011 Athletic Road’ which has been opened specially by the city.”
“In January a special lecture was held for the leaders of the city’s 10,000 public servants to motivate and mobilise everyone to ensure a successful championships.”
“Most recently, a public recruitment campaign was launched among school and university students to find the flag bearers for the opening ceremony.”
“It is not an exaggeration to say that Daegu 2011 is on everyone’s minds.”
“With 100 days to go, we have entered the ‘final straight’ of preparations for the IAAF World Championships, Daegu 2011.”
“And while we must never forget that this part of the race is always the most challenging, I am certain that with energy, hard work and dedication we will successfully reach the finish line together in a victory for Daegu, Korea, and the sport of athletics.”
IAAF
