Moscow to host 2013 IAAF World Championships

At its Council meeting in Mombasa, Kenya, the IAAF announced the host venues for the 2011 and 2013 IAAF World Championships in Athletics. They will be as follows: 

2011 - 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Daegu, Korea 

2013 - 14th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Moscow, Russia.

This brings to eight, the number of European cities that have hosted the IAAF World Championships after Helsinki (1983 & 2005), Rome (1987), Stuttgart (1993), Gothenburg (1995), Athens (1997), Seville (1999) and Paris (2003).

The Moscow bid was led by European Athletics Vice President Valentin Balakhnichev.

European, World and Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva who made an emotional speech during this morning’s presentation welcomed the IAAF’s decision with the following words:

“I am happy that we have won the right to host the 2013 World Championships however I’m very disappointed that I won’t be able to compete in front of my home crowd as I have decided that my last World Championships will be in 2011.”

“We have a lot of athletes and a very strong athletics tradition in Russia and we are going to do our best to stage the best competition ever.”

“This morning I was very nervous when I had to make my speech in front of all the Council Members, probably the hardest thing I have ever done. But all I said was the truth and as it turns out they believed me.”

“I have made my mind and fixed my retirement but you can never know. Maybe by then I will still feel competitive and will decide to carry on for another year but right now I have decided to stop before 2013.”

“Whatever happens I will obviously support the Moscow World Championships, if I’m still famous by then and they want me to help them promote the Championships I will appreciate it and take on the challenge of developing our sport and pole vault even more.”

“I would like to congratulate Daegu for winning the 2011 World Championships, the mayor and all the people in the delegation. I am sure they will stage a very good championships. I competed there last year and they are very warm people and very strong in the promotional and advertising fields.”

“And they are lucky because they will have me competing in their home for my last World Championships!”