World Orienteering Championships being staged in Sports Capital of the World
Posted on | July 16, 2012 | Category: News
The Opening Ceremony of the World Championships took place after the Sprint Final and before the Sprint prize-giving, an arrangement that ensured that all the athletes could be present (no quarantine restrictions). Athletes were led in parade by a jazz band and each country’s team was headed by a local girl or boy who had competed in a youth championships in that part of Lausanne earlier in the day.
Speeches of welcome were given by M. Hein Verbruggen, President of SportAccord, M. Johann Schneider-Ammann, Federal Councillor, Canton de Vaud, M. Daniel Brelaz, Mayor of Lausanne, and Åke Jacobson, President of the IOF. SportAccord is the umbrella organization for 107 international sports federations and organisations and has its headquarters in Lausanne. IOF has been a member of SportAccord since 1973.
M. Verbruggen spoke of the positive way in which orienteering lives up to the ethos of SportAccord: “The IOF is a true example of a federation that follows the values of SportAccord; neutrality, transparency and promoting sport’s ability to contribute to positive change in communities.”
“At this event, we can clearly see the great dedication of the sport of orienteering to hold a sustainable athletic event”, he continued. “Such policies as protecting the environment, supporting the regional economy, raising awareness about the many benefits that physical activity brings to young people and integrating the population have been successfully implemented into these Championships.”
IOF President Åke Jacobson spoke of his pleasure that IOF was able to hold its World Championships this year in the sports capital of the world, hosted by one of the strongest orienteering nations. “I know that the organisers have left no stone unturned in their efforts”, he said, “to present, in both city and forest environments, a world championship of the highest quality, with an emphasis on sustainable development.”
A large and enthusiastic crowd of orienteers from all over the world filled the stands and surrounding area, including a huge Swiss contingent that had come in to Lausanne for the day and supplemented by many local people who were enjoying a fine summer day beside Lake Geneva.
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