World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 logo
Today, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belgrade, a press conference was held to mark 100 days until the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24, and to unveil of the logo of the competition.
After successfully organising the European Cross Country Championships in 2013, the European Indoor Championships in 2017, and the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2022, Serbia will host the World Cross Country Championships on 30 March 2024.
Belgrade is a city of sports, the largest city in the Balkans and an excellent host of major sporting events.
When Belgrade hosted the 2013 European Cross Country Championships, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying: "The championships was fantastically organised and the races were phenomenal. Sixteen countries won medals, and there were more participants than the event had ever had before. Everything was fantastic, including the weather conditions. Serbian athletics has done a fantastic job and I think that you have years and years of organising big international competitions ahead of you."
The logo of the World Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 was inspired by Friendship Park in New Belgrade, which is one of the largest parks in the city and extends over a large green area of 14 hectares, along the banks of the Danube and the Sava Rivers.
Within the frame of the characteristic shape for World Athletics competitions, Friendship Park is shown alongside the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers. Also present are the patterns of typical Serbian carpets as well as runners displayed in the shape of the letters BGD (Belgrade).
The combination of these elements of national landmarks and Serbian history depicts the local and national character that this prestigious competition will have in 2024.
The president of the local organising committee and director of the Serbian Athletics Federation, Slobodan Branković, addressed the media representatives on site today, saying: "I feel a great honour and responsibility that we have been given the opportunity to host the best athletes from around the world once again.
"On this day, we gather to mark 100 days until the World Athletics Cross Country Championships and present the championships logo. The Cross Country Championships is not only a sports competition, but also an opportunity to show the sacred beauty of our city, rich culture, and willingness to be great hosts.
“Our logo reflects the spirit of Belgrade and Serbia. Friendship Park, the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers, the patterns of typical Serbian carpets and runners in the shape of the letters BGD together symbolise the combination of tradition, love for sports and international friendship.
“Belgrade, as a city at the confluence of two rivers, represents a bridge between the past and the future, between different cultures and peoples. We don't have much time left until the competition itself, so our team will have a lot of work to do, but we are undoubtedly expecting another superbly organised event."
Five races will be held at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships: senior men's and women's 10km races, U20 men's 8km, U20 women's 6km, and the mixed 4x2km relay.
