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WELCOME IAAF in BERLIN - The decision in Helsinki

IAAF chooses Berlin for World Championships in 2009

2004-12-05

„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
http://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
http://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
http://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
http://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
http://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)
http://www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002138

New finish at Brandenburg Gate is welcomed by top officials.
The new finish of this year
http://www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/001347

real,- BERLIN-MARATHON supports Berlin bid for IAAF World Championships in 2009
http://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
http://www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/000716

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