German Ambassador receives the organising committee of the World Championships and top US athletes on the Day of German Unity in Washington

On the Day of German Unity, October 3, 2008, the German Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Klaus Scharioth, received representatives of the organising committee of the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009TM (BOC), as well as the top American athletes Bryan Clay, LaShawn Merritt, Shalane Flanagan, and Alan Webb in his residence in Washington, DC.

Dr. Scharioth was delighted to be able to welcome the invited guests in his residence, emphasising his support: “The IAAF World Championships in Athletics taking place in Germany next year will once again
provide us with the opportunity to present ourselves to the world as an excellent host. We want to make the most of this opportunity. We know that the USA is an especially sports-oriented nation, with exceptional track and field athletes.

Thus, we will be promoting this extraordinary sports event here in Washington, and we are delighted to be able to welcome these top American athletes and the organisers of berlin 2009TM at our celebration for the Day of German Unity.”

Dr. Clemens Prokop, acting president of the organising committee of the World Championships, presented the activities of the BOC and the current status of the preparations for the World Championships to the attending journalists and guests. With regard to its activities abroad, he added: “We are looking forward to having up to 100,000 international spectators at the World Championships. Every fan of athletics who comes to the German capital for berlin 2009TM will be thrilled with the competitions in the Olympic Stadium and in the city centre and will enjoy the great atmosphere of the wonderful city of Berlin.”

Bryan Clay, the best decathlete in the world and gold medalist in Beijing, is harbouring a special anticipation for the World Championships in the Berlin Olympic Stadium: “The spectators in Germany have always demonstrated great enthusiasm for the decathlon, which is why I am really looking forward to the World Championships in the Berlin Olympic Stadium.”

The two-time gold medallist (400m and 4x400m relay) at the Olympic Games in Beijing, LaShawn Merritt, is already looking well ahead to the World Championships next year: “I am already looking forward to Berlin
2009. This event gathers the best athletes together every two years to compete against one another in the most beautiful cities in the world.” The 400m champion at this year’s ISTAF is already familiar with the
Olympic Stadium, adding: “Berlin is great in itself for its exceptionally fast blue track.”

Shalane Flanagan, bronze medalist in Beijing in the 10,000m, emphasised her ambitions for berl in
2009TM: “I always go into a competition looking to win. After coming in third in Beijing, of course I want to
become world champion in Berlin.”

Middle-distance runner Alan Webb described his ambitions for the upcoming year: “In 2009, I really want
to make my move internationally one more time, and the World Championships offer an excellent stage for
doing so.”
The German embassy’s reception on the occasion of the Day of German Unity took place directly following the press conference.
 
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009TM was a central theme at the event. The 3,500 invited guests entered the German ambassador’s residence through the “World Championships in Athletics Entrance”, which led down a blue track and past impressions from athletics.

In his speech, the German ambassador once again made reference to berl in 2009TM and invited all of the attending guests to come to Germany and visit the World Championships in Berlin.

The organising committee of berlin 2009TM also held presentations and had informational booths for the
guests.
 
Cem Herder