(MOMBASA, March 27, 2007) – Korean city Daegu has won the campaign to host the World Championships in Athletics in 2011 following an IAAF Council vote this afternoon.
Daegu was the final city to present its vision to the IAAF Council, using the theme of ‘Carrying the baton for World Athletics’, representing Daegu’s legacy to expand the popularity of athletics in Asia and the development of athletics participation throughout the world.
Daegu Bid committee President Yoo Chong-Ha said: “This is fantastic news for Daegu, for Korea and for Asia. The Bid Committee has worked tirelessly over the last two years to make this dream a reality.
“For a city with only an emerging athletics background and no committed commercial sponsors, to be selected as the host of the world’s third largest sports event among such strong athletics cultures, Barcelona, Moscow and Brisbane, is an extraordinary feat to achieve.
“It is our belief that the world class stadium, vast experience and organizing capabilities of Daegu are at the basis of the IAAF decision. Another important factor was the overwhelming desire and passion of the people of Daegu, under the leadership of Mayor Kim Bum-Il, to stage the best and most memorable championships. This desire and passion has touched the hearts of all council members.”
Daegu Mayor Kim Bum Il said: “This is a momentous day for Daegu. It is the end of the beginning of a long race – and now we start the next lap to ensure the best ever Championships in 2011.
“I want to share this success with Daegu and its people – this victory is for them. To expose our country to the world, we will not let anyone down by hosting a memorable global festival in athletics.”
The final presentations were held at the Whitesands hotel in Mombasa, Kenya and Daegu’s presentation followed Barcelona, Brisbane and Moscow.
Kim Myung Gon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Kim Jung Gil, President of Korea Sports Council; Lee In Joong, President of Daegu Chamber of Commerce & Industry; and Hwang Young Jo, former marathon gold medalist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, attended the final presentation to support Daegu’s bid.
Moscow won the vote to host the World Championships in Athletics in 2013 in the second ballot.
Notes to editors:
The IAAF World Championships in Athletics stand out as one of the top three sporting events in the world, alongside the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The Championships is comprised of over 46 different disciplines (Male 24, Female 22) and held over a period of 9 days.
Daegu submitted its letter of intent to bid for the 2011 World Athletics Championships in March 2006 and submitted its Candidature document on November 30, 2006.
Between December 2006 and February 2007 the IAAF made Evaluation Visits to the competing cities and the IAAF Council decided the winning city by a simple majority vote on March 27, 2007.
The 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics will be held in Osaka, Japan in 2007, and the 12th edition of the championships will be hosted by Berlin, Germany in 2009.
http://www.2011daegu.org/english/main.jsp
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