World Athletics Championship announced in Vrnjacka Banja: Legendary Bubka expects great spectacle!

Foto: Marko Jovanović

For the ninth time, the Balkan Athletics is declaring the best athletes from its ranks, and the host of the ceremony on Wednesday evening - "The "Balkan Gala" - will be Vrnjacka Banja. Ahead of that gathering a news conference was held announcing the 2022 Indoor World Championship!

These days are eventful for the Serbian athletics. Just a few days after receiving the organization of the 2022 Indoor World Championship, the leaders of the alliance of the Balkan Federation gathered in Vrnjacka Banja, and a big spectacle was announced to confirm that the 2017 European Championship was the best in history.

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Photo: Marko Jovanovic

Speakers at the conference included World Athletics Vice President Sergei Bubka, Balkan Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov, Director of the Serbian Athletics Federation (ASS) Slobodan Brankovic and Vrnjacka Banja Mayor Boban Djurovic.

Sergei Bubka's kind words and praise for the work of the ASS, Veselin Jevrosimovic and Slobodan Brankovic were welcomed with applause. He added that Serbia can be proud of being given the World Championship organization, reminding those present that the 2017 European Championship was held in completely perfect conditions. Along with Bubka's kind words, a video message from the World Athletics first man, Sebastian Coe, also arrived.

A while later, Karamarinov addressed the public in a particularly good mood, noting that he would do so in English due to the official nature of the occasion, even though he speaks and understands the Serbian language perfectly.

Photo: Marko Jovanovic

"Belgrade is stronger now than two years ago, congratulations to Slobodan, especially to him, because his energy with his focus was very strong to make this happen. He was the leader in organizing the European 2017 Indoor Championship which has been declared as the best. It is the turn of the World Championship now and I believe it will be similar. It's a great success to get to organize it. We are here to celebrate the best athletes and the rising stars. We have 21 members of the federation, not only Balkan countries, but also those from the surrounding area. This is a great opportunity for athletics and for Serbia," Karamarinov said, adding that there is cooperation with Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan and other member countries.

Director of the Athletic Federation of Serbia, Slobodan Brankovic, said he was proud of the new opportunity to present Serbia as a great host.

Photo: Marko Jovanovic

"First of all, I would like to thank the media, your support is very important, and everyone in the country can be proud of what we have achieved. Believe me, it was not easy to get the biggest sporting event in the history of Serbia. We owe a great deal of gratitude to World and Balkan athletics, we have shown in the last decade that we can organize many competitions. Many thanks to Sergei, he is always there when we need him, so he supported us, thank you Sergei for the great support you give us. My great friend Karamarinov initially gave me guidance on how I should run an organization like the Athletics Federation of Serbia. Organizing sporting events, gala nights, conventions is not possible without the support of the state and local governments. We are now in Vrnjacka Banja and I have to thank Boban Djurovic, he made us feel the way we do."

"The ASS has flourished in the last 10 years since the arrival of Veselin Jevrosimovic, one of the people who, when they start doing something, works wonders. So with the ASS, from a federation that was present in the media in traces, we have achieved much in terms of results, infrastructure and other aspects of the federation. We have won more medals in the last 10 years than in the previous 60. We are proud, we're not stopping, we have goals for the next 10 years. It's important for us now to make the best World Championship ever. We did this in 2017, there is no reason not to do it in 2022. Without the support of the president of the state, of Belgrade, we wouldn't be able to do all this. Without the support and the guarantees, we wouldn't have won the organization of the World Championship. Believe me that after three nights, spent sleeping or not sleeping, we're not aware of what we have been given, that has never happened before, to host so many countries from around the world. We want the Arena to be packed from noon to evening."

Photo: Marko Jovanovic

Mayor of Vrnjacka Banja Boban Djurovic said he was proud of this opportunity for his town, a tourist oasis in the heart of Serbia, to announce the World Championship.

"I congratulate the ASS on the results, they are worthy of attention, they are proof of great work, but also of great support of the state. Vrnjacka Banja is a traditionally good host, we are proud to host such a federation and world-famous names, maybe these names were once unattainable for our local government. It is a great pride for Serbia and the ASS that we (Serbia) have managed to be the host. We will have the best athletes from the world here, certainly the ASS made a big contribution. It's a special honor for the place to be perceived a true tourist spot. The goal is future investments that will bring these people to Vrnjacka Banja. I wish you to continue with successes and successfully organize the 2022 World Championship."

(Telegraf.rs)