May 16, 2011

2012 Colorful Daegu Championships Meeting
Welcome Remarks

To the over 200 athletes from more than 40 countries participating 
in the 2012 Colorful Daegu Championships Meeting!
To the great citizens of Daegu who have filled this stadium!
I would like to offer my warmest and most sincere welcome.

To the honorable Kim Bum-il, Mayor of Daegu,
to Mr. Park Jung-ki, IAAF Council member,
to Mr. Oh Dong-jin, President of Korea Association of Athletics Federations,
and to the special guests here to mark this occasion,
as chair I offer my deepest thanks for the work
you have all done to prepare for this event.

In addition, I would like to extend a warm welcome
to Sandro Givannelli, adviser to the President of IAAF 
who has come all the way to Daegu to be with us this evening 
despite his busy schedule.
Thank you very much.

Athletes and citizens of Daegu!
This evening at Daegu Stadium
I am delighted to be with you as we enjoy
what I know will be an intense,
but fair competition between the world's greatest athletes.
Since the first Colorful Daegu Championships Meeting was held in 2005
each year has seen an improvement in the quality of the event. 
With the success of the 2011 Daegu IAAF World Championship,
this event is now recognized as Korea's only international athletics event.

Last year was an opportunity to impress upon the citizens
Of Daegu and of Korea the unique appeal that athletics has.

It goes without saying that this year
and into the future we hope to both raise the level of appreciation
of athletics among the people of Korea
as well as improve the level of our own athletes' skills.
I fully expect that in the near future
we will attain the levels of world-class sportsmen and women in these events.

To the athletes from all over the world participating in this year's event!
As you challenge the limits of human ability
please know that your efforts inspire as well as give courage and hope to millions.
This evening in Daegu Stadium I hope that you show us your best
and that new records will be set.

Once again, I would like to express my appreciation
to those who spent so much time and effort to prepare for this event
in addition to the fans of this sport whose support means so much.
Thank you very much.