The four candidates had been: Barcelona, Spain; Brisbane, Australia; Daegu, Korea and Moscow, Russia. The decisions bring to a close an election campaign that began in April 2006, when a record number of nine candidates submitted letters of intent to host the 2011 edition of the event.
IAAF President Lamine Diack said, “by taking part in this race, the bidding cities have shown the best of themselves and have promoted Athletics as a major and universal sport. It should not be forgotten that when the Evaluation process began, we had interest from a record nine countries from five continents, so I consider that the final four candidates who arrived in Mombasa should be proud of getting this far. I sincerely hope that those who were not successful this time return with another bid in the future.”
Daegu Bid committee President Yoo Chong-Ha said, “for a city with only an emerging athletics background and no committed commercial sponsors, to be selected as the host of the world’s third largest sports event among such strong athletics cultures, Barcelona, Moscow and Brisbane, is an extraordinary feat to achieve.”
“It is our belief that the world class stadium, vast experience and organizing capabilities of Daegu are at the basis of the IAAF decision. Another important factor was the overwhelming desire and passion of the people of Daegu, under the leadership of Mayor Kim Bum-Il, to stage the best and most memorable championships. This desire and passion has touched the hearts of all council members.”
The 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics will be held in Osaka, Japan in 2007, and the 12th edition of the championships will be hosted by Berlin, Germany in 2009.
