Colourful ceremony opens 48th IAAF Congress - Daegu 2011

Daegu, Korea – Following an official welcome given by IAAF President Lamine Diack, the Mayor of the City of Daegu, Kim Bum-il last night declared the 48th IAAF Congress open at a colourful and spectacular ceremony held in the Grand Ballroom of the at Exco-Hotel, Daegu.

As is tradition at the opening of Congress, the IAAF bestowed a number of Awards:

IAAF Gold Order of Merit

Jean Poczobut (FRA)

IAAF Silver Order of Merit

Otto Klappert (GER)

IAAF Honorary Plaque

John Velzian (GBR)

IAAF Plaque of Merit – one representative from each of the six Area Associations:

Africa - Giovanna Rousseau, Seychelles

Asia - Surapong Ariyamongkol, Thailand

Europe - José Maria Odriozola, Spain

NACAC - Jesus Molina Hernandez, Cuba

Oceania - Geoff Annear, New Zealand

South America – Ricardo Sasso, Panama

The official welcoming address was given by IAAF President Lamine Diack:

"The official opening ceremony of our 48th Congress affords me the enjoyable opportunity of welcoming you to Daegu, where I am sure we will be able to pride ourselves on organising our statutory meeting and our championships with success and style.

When, four years ago in Mombasa, the IAAF Council took a chance on Daegu, it was with the avowed intention of playing its part in our evolving world in which Asia – in general – and Korea – in particular – play a central role.

As a result of this bold choice, our sport now opens out onto new horizons, strengthening its attachment to the most populous continent in the world and granting it a choice position in one of the most powerful forces behind the growth of the global economy.

With the creation of the Diamond League and World Challenge circuits of meetings, which have unquestionably enabled us to make key progress in universalising our sport, our presence today in Korea is a conclusive indication of our desire to maintain, at the highest level possible, the gains that we have secured in the past, especially in Europe, in addition to seeking to expand worldwide, particularly in emerging countries.

This innovative approach has been carried out alongside the special efforts that we have devoted to seeking new partners and that has led to contracts being signed with Adidas, Posco, Samsung, SINOPEC, Toyota and VTB, which now join our traditional partners such as, Seiko, TDK and TBS, and our official supplier, Mondo.

Despite the crisis that shook the world and cast doubt upon a number of strongly-held beliefs, our finances have remained healthy and our reserves robust.

Through the Athletics’ World Plan, which will come to an end in 2012, we have opened up many avenues that, amongst other things, have enabled us to greatly increase our presence in the school system, which represents the future, and pave the way for a progressive and permanent commitment to streamlining our competitions system, which should adapt to fit the demands of an ever-changing world.

It is the desire to see these changes through that has led me to seek a final term of office, which will also allow me, with your blessing and support, to celebrate the IAAF Centenary alongside you.

The IAAF is a time-honoured body, to which I have directly devoted thirty-five (35) years of my life, first as Vice-President, from 1976 to 1999 and then President, from 1999 to now. As a result, I have been lucky enough to be a witness to - and a special participant in - the changes that it has undergone over more than a third of its lengthy existence.

Over the course of this wonderful evening, we will be committed to thanking and paying homage to the eminent members of our community who are leaving us after a long and productive time by our sides, during which they did their utmost to ensure athletics’ development.

At this point, I would like to testify to our gratitude and loyal friendship towards them.

With your permission, I would also like to take this opportunity to celebrate those people who are never in the spotlight but who nevertheless ensure the longevity and prosperity of our sport.

As you will have realised, I am referring to the thousands of volunteers whose tireless work at the heart of our Member Federations offers high-level training to our athletes and gives our sport the means to develop efficiently and inexpensively.

My closing words will be directed to our Korean hosts, especially the Mayor of Daegu, the Co-President of the Local Organising Committee, the President of the Korean Athletics Federation and their teams, who spared no effort in ensuring that our working conditions and our stay here would be of the best possible quality.

The most significant praise that I would like to offer them is, however, found in the result of all the steps that they have taken to provide our athletes with top-class facilities.

Berlin 2009 set a particularly high standard, but I am convinced that Daegu 2011 will establish us yet further within the legacy of successes that, every day and incrementally, consolidate the development of Athletics around the world."

Mayor of Daegu opens Congress

"I’d like to extend my wholehearted welcome to all of you," said Kim Bum-il.

"Four years ago in Mombasa, we overcame all the challenges and had honor to

host 2011 World Championships in Athletics. Since then, we have spared no efforts to prepare for the best World Championships ever in the history of IAAF.

After refurbishment, Daegu Stadium now boasts of world-class state-of- the-art facilities. Athletes’ Village is not just equipped with numerous amenities but has also adopted a green and eco-friendly system. And here in EXCO-Daegu, we have a facility that befits the prestige of the 48th IAAF Congress.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the IAAF Council and Member Federations for the guidance and gracious support. I wish you a fruitful two days of meetings and all the best in your endeavour, during your stay in Daegu.

And now, without further ado,

I declare the 48th IAAF Congress open.

Sprint Together for Tomorrow!"

For more information, contact: www.iaaf.org

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

Your complete source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only.