World Youth Championships – Extracts from President Lamine Diack’s speech

Bressanone/Brixen – “I am very happy to be with you today in this lovely region on Sud-Tirol, to welcome the latest edition of the IAAF World Youth Championships. In Bresanone, we can look forward to seeing the future stars of our sport compete on a world stage for the first time.

“Young people today have many choices, not only when it comes to sport, but other pastimes. That was why the IAAF created the World Youth Championships, because the sport of athletics must reach out to this age group and encourage them to fall in love with our sport.

“Athletics is the core sport which develops children in a rounded way and enables them to do well in almost any other physical activity. More than the physical aspect, Athletics is a pastime which offers wider guiding values in life. It helps to prepare young people for the challenges they will experience throughout their life. The IAAF must ensure that the sport’s confidence-building and inspirational effects are experienced by as many children worldwide as possible.

“Projects such as Kids’ Athletics and the annual World Athletics Day, and the establishment of the IAAF School/Youth commission were projects planned to present our sport as a core element in every child’s education.

“Over the past six years the IAAF World Youth Championships has proved to be a winner, not only with our Member Federations and young athletes but also cities who appreciate the unique qualities of the “World Youth”. This is because the World Youth Championships is not just another competition but also an opportunity for youngsters to gain valuable experience, to improve personal bests, and to build friendships with their rivals from every corner of the world.

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