Adieu to the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011!

The organizing committee for the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 held a closing ceremony of the Championships at Daegu Stadium after ending the evening session of competition on the last day.

The past nine-days were like passing scenes in a drama. Especially, I would never forget the last closing ceremony. So, I want to share the great experiences of Sep 4 with you.

After ending the evening session, approximately 1,500 officials/volunteers entered the stadium in rows.

Along the way, DJ Koo and Park Mi Kyung started the show like gangbusters in the middle of the stadium.

When their fantastic performance was over, the film compiled from highlights of the best Championships moments was played on the Daegu stadium's giant screen.

I was filled with emotions as I thought about the past here in the Daegu Stadium.

Then, Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City/Co-president of the Organizing Committee, Kim Bum-Il and Lamine Diack IAAF president came on the stage and gave a closing speech.

The Prime Minister of South Korea, Kim Hwang-sik declared the close of the Championships and the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 came to an end.  

The traditional handover of the IAAF flag to Moscow 2013, the next hosts of the IAAF World Championships, followed the closing declaration.

Next, crossover artist Moon-Hee Shin sang "Beautiful Country" passionately. 

The white scraps of paper were fluttering down inside the stadium.

 JYJ's "Empty" was performed at the end, and they definitely did not disappoint.

Then, it's all over now.

Once again, thank you all for making such a wonderful World Championships in Daegu during the nine days. 

The Media Race at the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011

Although there was only evening session on Sept.3, but the Daegu Stadium was suddenly getting crowded with people for some reason.

When we got there, many people including journalists, camera men, broadcasters, and volunteer workers were warming up with some stretches to participate in the Media Race.

The Media Race kicked off at Daegu Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 3, one day prior to the closing of the global athletic event. 

A total of 117 participants were divided into 12 groups, or heats, before competing in the 800-meter race. One of the heats was composed of seven female participants.

Each participant showed off their individuality. One journalist was warming up stretching his body, while another pretending to be an athlete wearing a T-shirt with an interesting message. Some people even brought professional sprint spikes and some ran barefoot. 

A Jamaican participant was wearing the player's uniform and it was very similar to Usain Bolt's.

There were also twelve Korean participants.

Richard Welsh from Austrailia won the Men's race. He was a former athlete and said,“I had to scrap my dream because of an injury, but I am still running.”

Meanwhile, Katie Landry from USA won the women's race, followed by Nastassia Marynina (BLR) and Elena Dyachkova (RUS).

The winner had a spot interview with an anchor.

The Media Race was proven that the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 was not only for the athletes but also for the journalists, camera men, broadcasters, and volunteer workers.

It was lots of fun for the day! 

The Medal Table

Click for the larger image. :)

The Closing Ceremony at Daegu Stadium for the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011

                                                                                                                           (Photo: Yonhap News)

I can't believe that today's the final day of action at the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011. 

The final day of action begins with the endurance of the men's Marathon and concludes with the 4x100 Relays. 

After the last evening session has been completed, the closing ceremony will start at 9:10 p.m. 

The Closing Ceremony should be a festivity where all athletes, officials and Daegu citizens gather together to create a memorable closure befitting the prestige of the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011.

The highlights of the Closing Ceremony will be a handover of IAAF Flag to Moscow 2013 and a celebratory performance by JYJ.

Tickets for the final evening session on 4 September include the Closing Ceremony. 

-Date : 4 September 2011

-Time : 21:10 ~ 21:40

-Venue : Daegu Stadium

Usain Bolt the centre of attention - semi-finals

The 200m semi-finals saw the second appearance of the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt on Friday, September 2nd.

He won the second heat in 20.30 shutting down some 50 metres from the line.

Bolt looked a bit more cheerful all the morning.

But, he rejected the request for an interview politely.

After ending the morning session, the men's 200m semi-final was held at 7:55pm.

He was lined up at the start and posed as if he were doing Taekwondo. 

He shot forward at the starting signal and dropped his speed before the finish line.

Bolt easily won his semifinal (20.31) like we expected. He was in a tip-top shape for the game. :)

There was electricity in the air at the World Championships as Usain Bolt took off his shoes after winning the Men's 200m semifinal.

After the semi-finals last night, Bolt said he’s firmly put the disappointment of his 100m false start disqualification behind him, and is only focusing on the task at hand.

The men's 200m final will take place at 9:20pm (GMT+9) on Saturday when the world will again put attention on Usain Bolt! 

Results of the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 - Day1&2

Here I have results for the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011.

(Results from the Women Marathon, the first event to the 3^rd day of Sep 29^th)

Kenya actually swept the medals in Women’s Marathon. Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat from Kenya won the gold medal. Silver and bronze also fell into, Priscah Jeptoo, Sharon Jemutai Cherop.

On the 27^th, Kenya conquered the medals again in 10,000m final - Gold medal for Vivian Jepkemoi Cheruiyot, silver for Sally Kipyego and bronze for Linet Chepkwemoi Masai.

In Women’s 100m Qualification, Jung Hye Rim had run fastest in her group, but the next day at the preliminary, failed to defend her place for the semi-final.

In Men’s Decathlon, there were 100m, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, 400m for the first day, 110m Hurdles, Discus Throw, Pole Vault, Javelin, 1,500m for the second day. The winner was Trey Hardee, Berlin Olyimpic Medalist in 2009.

Korean Athlete for Men’s Decathlon, Kun-Woo Kim took 17^th place, breaking the Korean record.

In 110m Hurdles, Xiang Liu, Dayron Robles and David Oliver took chances for the semi-finals.

The favorites in Women 100m Preliminary Carmelita Jeter, Shelly-Ann Fraser - Pryce and Veronica Campbell-Brown made it to the semi-final quite easily.

On 28^th, Men’s 20km Race Walking took place. Russian race walker Valeriy Borchin got the best the world has to offer.

On the same day, in Men’s 400m Preliminary allowed the ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius to the semi-final.

Yelena Isinbayeva took a chance to join Women’s Pole Vault final with the record of 4m60.

In Women’s Long Jump, USA’s Brittney Reese won the gold medal with the record of 6m82.

In Women’s Discus Throw, China’s Yanfeng Li got the top place with the record of 66.62m.

In the highlight of the day, Men’s 10,000m final, Ethiopia’s Ibrahim Jeilan turned the tables, won the world title.

Lost to him, Mohamed Farah took the silver medal.

The last race on 28^th was Men’s 100m.

As all of you already know, the world got shocked with Usain Bolt’s false start.

Finally, victory was Jamaican runner, Yohan Blake’s.

Who could have ever expected such result?

Stunned beyond words, the games continue with the athletic conquerors eager to break the world records.

Stay focused on them with me!! :>