Beijing, February 8: Beijing will once again host the World Athletics Championships in 2027, marking a significant return after 12 years. Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, expressed his anticipation for a “full house” event during a recent interview with Chinese media at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The championships are scheduled to take place from September 11 to 19, 2027. This event will make Beijing the first city in China to host this prestigious competition twice.
Sebastian Coe, who previously chaired the organizing committee for the 2012 London Olympics, has a special connection with China. He assumed the presidency of World Athletics in Beijing in 2015 and will retire from this position in the same city in 2027.
Recalling his experiences, Coe mentioned that he personally attended the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the athletics events. The London Olympics followed just four years later, allowing him to collaborate closely with the Beijing organizing committee, which enhanced his understanding of the event management process.
The 2015 World Athletics Championships held at the National Stadium, known as the “Bird’s Nest,” left a lasting impression on Coe. He praised Beijing’s remarkable organizational capabilities, highlighting the excellence of the “Bird’s Nest” stadium and the enthusiasm and dedication of the local volunteers.
As the global athletics competition returns to Beijing in 2027, Coe’s expectations and confidence are higher than ever. He noted that every time an event is held in China, whether it was the Nanjing Indoor World Championships last year or the Guangzhou World Athletics Relay, it is executed with exceptional success. China’s role in World Athletics is crucial.
(Reported by China Media Group, Beijing)
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