On December 4, the IAAF will decide in Helsinki, the venue for the track and
field world championships in 2005, where the championships are to take place in
2009.
The cities up for selection are Split, Valencia and once again Berlin.
Berlin has already been unsuccessful in the selection process two times, but
just like for the Olympic Games, one single attempt does not suffice to
succeed, but what is rather needed is endurance, staying power, and a bit of
luck.
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Sporting city Berlin
Berlin has always been a sporting city, and athletics has a great tradition
and success story in the past.
The German Athletics Association was founded on January 29/30, 1898 in the
restaurant “Patzenhofer“ in Friedrichstraße 71 on the corner
of Taubenstraße, while the Berlin Athletics Association was created on
November 15, 1904. But track and field sports were a part of Berlin life long
before that.
IAAF founding in Berlin
The IAAF, the International Athletics Association, was also founded in
Berlin, a fact that has remained fairly unknown. The International Athletics
Congress met from August 21-23, 1913 in Berlin in the “Prussian
Parliament“ (today the Berlin Parliament) and founded the IAAF, then
called the “International Amateur Athletic Association“.
In the past, Berlin’s athletes have made their mark in track and field
sports with great successes—winning 346 medals at the Olympic Games,
World and European Championships, great sports festivals like the ISTAF,
Olympic Day, and major races like the real,- BERLIN MARATHON or the Bewag
BERLIN HALF MARATHON; and with world records that were set at these sports
festivals — and on the streets of Berlin.
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The first president was J.S. Edström from Sweden
(picture shows the board - Source: Sport Museum Berlin).
Official founding congress of the IAAF, then under the name International
Amateur Athletic Association, in the Prussian parliament in Berlin. The
election of the first board of the IAAF took place here: President: J.S.
Edström (Sweden); Members of the Board: C. Diem (Germany), P.L. Fisher
(Great Britain), Frantz-Reichel (France), S. Stankovits (Hungary), J.E.
Sullivan (USA); Secretary: Kr. Hellström (Sweden) The following was
decided upon at the congress: - the standard Olympic programme for track and
field, - the appointment of a commission that regulates the assessment of
amateur world records, - the drawing up of a common definition of amateurism, -
the appointment of a committee for questions on amateurism which all conflicts
are to submit to, (Chair: Runge, Germany; Members: Barnard, Great Britain;
Frantz-Reichel, France; Kirby, USA; Pishaller, Finland; Wetherell, South
Africa), - the drawing up of rules and regulations which are to serve as the
basis of track and field throughout the entire world.
The “Provisional Founding Committee for the creation of an
international athletics association” sends out an invitation to a
congress in Berlin for the establishment of the IAAF. The congress takes place
in the “Prussian Parliament” (now the Berlin Parliament) from
August 21-23, 1913.
The establishment of the IAAF in Berlin from August 21-23,
1913
Spectators entusiasm - in a stadium or on the streets
Berlin’s enthusiasm for athletics also has always been large, whether
as spectators in a stadium or on the streets of Berlin, when hundreds of
thousands loudly cheer on the runners.
If the board of the IAAF decides on December 4th to give Berlin the
privilege of hosting the Track and Field World Championships in Berlin in 2009,
then analogue to the Olympic Games in Athens it would be no exaggeration to
say:
WELCOME HOME IAAF in BERLIN!
Berlin is bidding for the IAAF World Championships
2009!
more articles:
World Championships 2009 - Options for the marathon (and walking events) in
Berlin for the IAAF World Championships New ideas for carrying out the street
competitions — the course in the city centre and open races for the
general public as part of the pre-race programme
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/world/E/news/show/002623
Berlin is now the big favourite for the World Championships in 2009
Brussels surprisingly pulled out from the race, leaving only Split and Valencia
competing with Berlin
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002577
The Olympic Games open: Berlin and Athens 2004 on the “Berlin
Boat“ in Piräus
Berlin presents itself from its athletic side
www.berlin-marathon.com
offers extensive coverage on the running events and will start a game
prize
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002291
The reopening of the Berlin Olympic Stadium - Party of the Year
Two-day stadium fest with a gala show and football game
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002210
IAAF.org: European city to stage 2009 IAAF World Championships
Presentations from Berlin (GER), Brussels (BEL), Valencia (ESP) and Split
(CRO)
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/002138
New finish at Brandenburg Gate is welcomed by top officials The new finish
of this year
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/001347
real,- BERLIN-MARATHON supports Berlin bid for IAAF World Championships in
2009
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/001325
Berlin is in the race for the World’s 2005
Berlin will be the city for the IAAF’s World Championships in 2005
www.real-berlin-marathon.com/news/show/000716