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March 29th 2006, Ottawa – Athletics Canada is thrilled to announce that the city of Moncton, New Brunswick has been awarded the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships. The decision was made by International Association of Athletics Federation Directors in Osaka, Japan. While Canada’s bid committee delegation went to Japan intent on winning the 2008 World Junior Championships, the unanimous approval of the IAAF Council in awarding the 2010 games to Moncton and Canada is still great news.
“IAAF Council fully supports the ambitions of Moncton and Athletics Canada to organise a top class event which will promote the sport but also leave a lasting legacy in the shape of this new track,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack.
Athletics Canada Chairman of the Board Jean Guy-Ouellette indicated that hosting this event in Moncton will play an important role for years to come; “The 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships will be the largest international sporting event ever hosted in Atlantic Canada. With over 180 countries competing, the championships will leave a positive economic impact in Canada, the province of New Brunswick and the City of Moncton. A lasting legacy will be established in the form of state of the art facilities and athletic knowledge, both playing a critical role in the development of athletes.”
The event, tentatively scheduled for early July 2010, will attract over one thousand participants and hundreds of international media outlets. The economic impact in the Greater Moncton region is projected to be over $38 million. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced last week a commitment of $6 million to go towards building a brand new state of the art facility in Moncton to host this event.
“We received some great news from the IAAF today,” said Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton. “I want to thank the Canadian government, the New Brunswick government, and Athletics Canada for their support. I also want to congratulate Bydgoszcz, Poland for securing the 2008 World Junior Championships. They put together a great bid.”
A second round of voting was necessary as the bids were tied at 13 votes each following the first round. Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton added, “Hosting the 2010 World Junior Championships gives us more time to host other events prior to 2010. This will help us work towards putting on the best World Junior Championships ever.”
The IAAF World Junior Championships are held every two years. The 2006 IAAF World Junior Championships are set for Beijing, China, August 15 – 20.
Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field including cross-country running and road running. Its purpose is the pursuit of leadership, development and competition that ensures world-level performance in athletics. The association believes in physical health and fitness, individual excellence and personal growth, individual development beyond sport, as well as inclusiveness and integrity. Track and field is a sport for people of all ages and abilities.
The City of Moncton is the economic and commercial centre of Atlantic Canada, with a number of key qualities that make it one of the best places in the region to live, work, and do business. Moncton is consistently recognized as a sports tourism hub for Atlantic Canada as well as one of the best places in Canada to do business. It is Moncton’s overall drive to succeed, commitment to excellence, desire to move forward, and total quality of life that makes this city what it is.
source Athletics Canada
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