News Archive

News Archive

WELCOME IAAF in BERLIN - The decision in Helsinki

„The World Championships in Athletics 2009 will be in Berlin.“ A

few minutes past 6 pm the President of the International Athletics Association

of Athletics Federation (IAAF), Lamine Diack, announced the decision in

Helsinki.

The Berlin Delegation, led by the minister of interior Otto Schily and

Berlin’s governing mayor Klaus Wowereit started cheering. Valencia and

Split were competitors, but Berlin has had the strongest bid and additionally

showed the by far best presentation before the decision.

The provisional dates for the 12th World Championships in Athletics are 15th to

23rd August 2009 in Berlin’s new Olympic Stadium.

24 of 26 votes for Berlin

A clear majority of the 26 Council members were voting in the first ballot for

Berlin. Unofficially it was said that there were 24 votes for Berlin, but

officially the IAAF did not tell any number.

“We are very proud und happy that we got the WCA. It is an honour for the

city of Berlin, and I am sure we will have a great atmosphere”, announced

governing mayor Klaus Wowereit, while the minister of interior Otto Schily

said: “This is a big success for Germany.”

For nine days Berlin will be in the world-wide focus

Concerning world-wide importance the sport spectacle which is third only to

Olympic Games and World Championships in football. For Berlin the rating of the

World Championships in Athletics will be even higher than for the Football

World Cup. 2006 there will be five WC games played in Berlin. But of course it

will known as the Championships in Germany. That is different with the WCA

because for nine days Berlin will be in the world-wide focus - ‘A

priceless advertising’.


The Berlin Olympic Stadion ISTAF 2004.

In the third approach

Berlin finally achieved its goal in the third approach. 1989 the city had

failed with the application for the WCA 1991 because of Tokyo. Two and a half

years ago Berlin applied and was the favourite before the poll for the WCA

2005. But surprisingly Helsinki came out as a winner in April 2002.

Minister of the Interior Schily was the only representative of a

federal state government

Now however Helsinki was a good omen for the citizens of Berlin. No other

candidate was so well represented in Finland. Minister of the Interior Schily

was the only representative of a federal state government of the three

candidates. The governing mayor Klaus Wowereit, the Senator Klaus Böger,

the designated president of Berlin’s organizing committee Werner

Gegenbauer, the president of the German Athletics Federation (DLV) Clemens

Prokop as well as the Olympic Champion Heike Drechsler participated in the

presentation.

Surprise guest Frank Fredericks

And as a surprise guest Frank Fredericks appeared in Helsinki. That was a

clever move, because the 37 year old is very popular in IAAF circles. He

belongs to the athlete commission of the Federation and is an IOC member. The

sprinter from Namibia, who terminated his long career this year additionally

has close connections to Berlin.

"Berlin had a strong application, therefore I gladly supported it",

Fredericks said.

First presentation

Berlin had made the first presentation before the poll, followed by Valencia

and Split. During the 30 minute long representation for the IAAF Council in

Helsinki Berlin showed the strongest points of the bid: the recently

reconstructed Olympic Stadium, the long athletics tradition in Berlin as well

as the very good infrastructure.

International metropolis

In addition the German capital was introduced as an international metropolis.

And at the end the Council members received small Berlin Bears. The

presentation was presented by Canadian Charmaine Crooks, a former 800 metre

runner, who at the 1996 Olympics carried the Canadian flag. Crooks is a

well-known face for the IAAF members as she annually presents the World

Athletics Final in Monte Carlo, the headquarter city of the IAAF.


Berlin is prepared for the World Championships 2009

Governing mayor Klaus Wowereit and Werner Gegenbauer

But also the assignment of the governing mayor Klaus Wowereit and the long

lasting president of chamber of industry and commerce, Werner Gegenbauer, in

the last years had a positive influence on the decision. The two did not omit

an opportunity to convince the IAAF of the large interest of Berlin.

The fact that the allegedly sharpest rival, Valencia, not even came with the

governing mayor to Helsinki had already shown how Spain estimated their chances

against Berlin.

More articles:

"Berlin is bidding for the IAAF World Championships 2009":

COMING HOME: Will the IAAF give the World Championships in 2009 to

Berlin?

The IAAF was founded in 1913 in Berlin / Athletics has a great tradition in

Berlin

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/world/E/news/show/002656

World Championships 2009 - Options for the marathon (and walking

events) in Berlin for the IAAF World Championships

New ideas for carrying out the street competitions — the course in the

city centre and open races for the general public as part of the pre-race

programme

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/world/E/news/show/002623

Berlin is now the big favourite for the World Championships in

2009

Brussels surprisingly pulled out from the race, leaving only Split and Valencia

competing with Berlin

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002577

The Olympic Games open: Berlin and Athens 2004 on the “Berlin

Boat“ in Piräus

Berlin presents itself from its athletic side

www.berlin-marathon.com

offers extensive coverage on the running events and will start a game

prize

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002291

The reopening of the Berlin Olympic Stadium

Party of the Year - Two-day stadium fest with a gala show and football

game

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002210

IAAF.org: European city to stage 2009 IAAF World

Championships

Presentations from Berlin (GER), Brussels (BEL), Valencia (ESP) and Split

(CRO)

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002138

New finish at Brandenburg Gate is welcomed by top

officials.

The new finish of this year

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/001347

real,- BERLIN-MARATHON supports Berlin bid for IAAF World

Championships in 2009

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/001325

Berlin is in the race for the World’s 2005

Berlin will be the city for the IAAF’s World Championships in 2005

www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/000716