14 MAY 2015 Iaaf News Beijing, China
There was a feeling that something special was in the air of the Chinese capital this afternoon as more than 1000 spectators, guests and athletes gathered outside the magnificent Bird’s Nest.
In exactly 100 days, the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 will get underway and to mark the event a special ceremony was held just outside the National Stadium which will be the venue for the nine-day competition from 22 to 30 August.
Xiao Tian, Deputy Sports Minister, Zhang Jiandong, Vice Mayor of Beijing and Du Zhaocai, IAAF Council Member and President of the Chinese Athletics Association attended the event, accompanied by IAAF ambassadors and legends of the sport Colin Jackson, Michael Johnson and Mike Powell.
The ceremony included music and dancing performances from the local students, guests’ speeches and the launch of the official TV commercial.
Xiao Tian greeted the attendees on behalf of the State Administration and the Chinese Athletics Federation. “The IAAF World Championships will be the biggest sporting event in 2015 and for the first time it is being held in China,” he said. “I wish this event a big success with the participation of the media, the sponsors, and I hope every spectator can fully enjoy the show of athletics and explore the beautiful city of Beijing.”
“We are sparing no efforts,” added Zhang Jiandong. “We work very hard with the highest standards to deliver a splendid championships to the world and leave a legacy for athletics. Every citizen is taking an active part in the preparations and is looking forward to being good hosts.”
Former 110m hurdles world record-holder Colin Jackson, who will be back in Beijing this summer in his role of TV commentator, said: “Beijing is a wonderful place and it is always an honour to come to China and get to know about your culture. Today we are celebrating a special event and I very much look forward to coming back here in August.”
Michael Johnson, the 400m world record-holder, admitted he was always impressed by the venue. “It’s a fantastic stadium, I have had the pleasure of being here for the Olympic Games in 2008 and every day was special. It would have been a real pleasure to compete in this stadium.
“Athletics is a fantastic sport,” he added. “China has a great athletics tradition and hopefully the World Championships will inspire a new group of athletes and give them the chance to experience the wonderful opportunities that we had.”
Mike Powell, the long jump world record-holder, was joined on stage by Li Jinzhe, the world indoor long jump silver medallist. “Me and Li share the same coach,” said Powell. “His coach told me he’s going to do really well and if he said so, then Li is going to do really well at the World Championships!"
Li was the local star of the show and had the whole crowd cheering for him. “I cannot wait for another 100 days. I am too excited, I wish the World Championships started tomorrow!”
Today’s ceremony was also attended by world shot put bronze medallist Gong Lijiao.
The IAAF World Championships will be the biggest sporting event on the planet in 2015 and will assemble 2000 athletes from more than 200 nations for nine days of competition which will be broadcast to an accumulated audience of 6 billion worldwide.
The IAAF World Championships will be held in China for the first time in the 32-year history of the event and they are expected to attract more than half a million spectators across the nine days of competition.
The ceremony was followed by a 1.5km fun run in the Olympic Park, an event which was supported by the United Nations Development Programme and Athletics for a Better World.
IAAF
Visit from athletics legends marks 100 days to go until IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015
In exactly 100 days, the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 will get underway and to mark the event a special ceremony was held just outside the National Stadium which will be the venue for the nine-day competition from 22 to 30 August.
Xiao Tian, Deputy Sports Minister, Zhang Jiandong, Vice Mayor of Beijing and Du Zhaocai, IAAF Council Member and President of the Chinese Athletics Association attended the event, accompanied by IAAF ambassadors and legends of the sport Colin Jackson, Michael Johnson and Mike Powell.
The ceremony included music and dancing performances from the local students, guests’ speeches and the launch of the official TV commercial.
Xiao Tian greeted the attendees on behalf of the State Administration and the Chinese Athletics Federation. “The IAAF World Championships will be the biggest sporting event in 2015 and for the first time it is being held in China,” he said. “I wish this event a big success with the participation of the media, the sponsors, and I hope every spectator can fully enjoy the show of athletics and explore the beautiful city of Beijing.”
“We are sparing no efforts,” added Zhang Jiandong. “We work very hard with the highest standards to deliver a splendid championships to the world and leave a legacy for athletics. Every citizen is taking an active part in the preparations and is looking forward to being good hosts.”
Former 110m hurdles world record-holder Colin Jackson, who will be back in Beijing this summer in his role of TV commentator, said: “Beijing is a wonderful place and it is always an honour to come to China and get to know about your culture. Today we are celebrating a special event and I very much look forward to coming back here in August.”
Michael Johnson, the 400m world record-holder, admitted he was always impressed by the venue. “It’s a fantastic stadium, I have had the pleasure of being here for the Olympic Games in 2008 and every day was special. It would have been a real pleasure to compete in this stadium.
“Athletics is a fantastic sport,” he added. “China has a great athletics tradition and hopefully the World Championships will inspire a new group of athletes and give them the chance to experience the wonderful opportunities that we had.”
Mike Powell, the long jump world record-holder, was joined on stage by Li Jinzhe, the world indoor long jump silver medallist. “Me and Li share the same coach,” said Powell. “His coach told me he’s going to do really well and if he said so, then Li is going to do really well at the World Championships!"
Li was the local star of the show and had the whole crowd cheering for him. “I cannot wait for another 100 days. I am too excited, I wish the World Championships started tomorrow!”
Today’s ceremony was also attended by world shot put bronze medallist Gong Lijiao.
The IAAF World Championships will be the biggest sporting event on the planet in 2015 and will assemble 2000 athletes from more than 200 nations for nine days of competition which will be broadcast to an accumulated audience of 6 billion worldwide.
The IAAF World Championships will be held in China for the first time in the 32-year history of the event and they are expected to attract more than half a million spectators across the nine days of competition.
The ceremony was followed by a 1.5km fun run in the Olympic Park, an event which was supported by the United Nations Development Programme and Athletics for a Better World.
IAAF
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