Russia: Putin welcomes athletes to World Championships in Moscow

00:51

Russia: Putin welcomes athletes to World Championships in Moscow

Russian Federation, Moscow

August 10, 2013 at 17:30 GMT +00:00 · Published

Russia: Putin welcomes athletes to World Championships in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the 14th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships officially open at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Saturday. The Russian leader gave a heartfelt welcome to competitors after a stirring performance of the Russian national anthem to a crowd of tens of thousands of sports fans.

Putin said: "I welcome you with all my heart to this wonderful opening ceremony, to this excellent festival of sport, youth, and friendship."

Lumine Diack, President of the IAAF, thanked Putin and organisers for hosting the event and welcomed athletes after the Russian President's address.

The Russian capital is hosting the 14th IAAF games from August 10-18, the first time that Russia has hosted the games. This year's championships are expected to be the biggest, with two thousand participants from 206 countries. More than five million television viewers are expected to follow the IAAF championships.

Total prize money set aside for the winners amounts to about $7.2 million (€5.4 million), with $100,000 (€75,000) reserved for record-breakers.

Russia: Putin welcomes athletes to World Championships in Moscow

00:51

Pool for subscribers only

No Account? Sign up!

Description

Russia: Putin welcomes athletes to World Championships in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the 14th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships officially open at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Saturday. The Russian leader gave a heartfelt welcome to competitors after a stirring performance of the Russian national anthem to a crowd of tens of thousands of sports fans.

Putin said: "I welcome you with all my heart to this wonderful opening ceremony, to this excellent festival of sport, youth, and friendship."

Lumine Diack, President of the IAAF, thanked Putin and organisers for hosting the event and welcomed athletes after the Russian President's address.

The Russian capital is hosting the 14th IAAF games from August 10-18, the first time that Russia has hosted the games. This year's championships are expected to be the biggest, with two thousand participants from 206 countries. More than five million television viewers are expected to follow the IAAF championships.

Total prize money set aside for the winners amounts to about $7.2 million (€5.4 million), with $100,000 (€75,000) reserved for record-breakers.

TrendingView all videos

Top downloads in last 24 hours

04:17

Yuyuan Garden illuminated as Lantern Festival kicks off in Shanghai despite pandemicYuyuan Garden illuminated as Lantern Festival kicks off in Shanghai despite pandemic

February 27, 2021 at 14:20 GMT +00:00

02:29

Iraq: Protests continue in Nasiriyah day after Dhi Qar governor resignsIraq: Protests continue in Nasiriyah day after Dhi Qar governor resigns

February 27, 2021 at 20:02 GMT +00:00

Pool for subscribers only

00:44

Syria: *STILLS* capture aftermath of US airstrikes on purported Iranian-backed militiaSyria: *STILLS* capture aftermath of US airstrikes on purported Iranian-backed militia

February 26, 2021 at 15:13 GMT +00:00

02:06

Tunisia: Ennahda Movement supporters rally in Tunis amid rising political tensionTunisia: Ennahda Movement supporters rally in Tunis amid rising political tension

February 27, 2021 at 16:25 GMT +00:00

01:54

Iran: 'Snow Moon' lights up skies over TehranIran: 'Snow Moon' lights up skies over Tehran

February 27, 2021 at 23:43 GMT +00:00

02:26

Serbia: World's longest sausage coil presented in Turija in annual traditionSerbia: World's longest sausage coil presented in Turija in annual tradition

February 27, 2021 at 19:29 GMT +00:00

02:32

France: 'Yellow Vest' protesters march through Paris against Macron policiesFrance: 'Yellow Vest' protesters march through Paris against Macron policies

February 28, 2021 at 00:18 GMT +00:00

Pool for subscribers only

00:55

Antarctica: Gigantic iceberg separates from Brunt Ice ShelfAntarctica: Gigantic iceberg separates from Brunt Ice Shelf

February 28, 2021 at 06:10 GMT +00:00

01:22

Kazakhstan: Flamingos unexpectedly land on Karakol Lake in winter Kazakhstan: Flamingos unexpectedly land on Karakol Lake in winter

February 26, 2021 at 21:17 GMT +00:00

04:29

Want a new house? New York company can now print it for you in just two days!Want a new house? New York company can now print it for you in just two days!

February 26, 2021 at 15:03 GMT +00:00

03:00

Spain: Several arrested at Barcelona rally over jailed rapper Pablo HaselSpain: Several arrested at Barcelona rally over jailed rapper Pablo Hasel

February 27, 2021 at 22:41 GMT +00:00

02:15

Denmark: Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters march through CopenhagenDenmark: Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters march through Copenhagen

February 28, 2021 at 01:10 GMT +00:00

Pool for subscribers only

00:49

Kazakhstan: Russia’s weather satellite launches from Baikonur CosmodromeKazakhstan: Russia’s weather satellite launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome

February 28, 2021 at 08:03 GMT +00:00

01:53

Armenia: Drone footage captures anti-Pashinyan protest in YerevanArmenia: Drone footage captures anti-Pashinyan protest in Yerevan

February 26, 2021 at 21:44 GMT +00:00

02:06

Chile: Police use water cannon and tear gas against protesters in SantiagoChile: Police use water cannon and tear gas against protesters in Santiago

February 27, 2021 at 14:47 GMT +00:00

01:49

Armenia: Opposition accuse authorities of 'provocation attempts' during Yerevan rallyArmenia: Opposition accuse authorities of 'provocation attempts' during Yerevan rally

February 27, 2021 at 19:23 GMT +00:00

02:59

Argentina: Demonstrators protest in Buenos Aires over 'VIP vaccine' scandalArgentina: Demonstrators protest in Buenos Aires over 'VIP vaccine' scandal

February 28, 2021 at 02:49 GMT +00:00

02:37

Germany: Dusseldorf imposes loitering ban on Rhine promenade amid pandemicGermany: Dusseldorf imposes loitering ban on Rhine promenade amid pandemic

February 27, 2021 at 20:14 GMT +00:00

02:20

Israel: Hundreds violate COVID restrictions to attend Tel Aviv street party ahead of Purim holidayIsrael: Hundreds violate COVID restrictions to attend Tel Aviv street party ahead of Purim holiday

February 26, 2021 at 23:23 GMT +00:00

04:22

Peru: Relatives of COVID patients queue for hours outside medical oxygen plantPeru: Relatives of COVID patients queue for hours outside medical oxygen plant

February 28, 2021 at 05:15 GMT +00:00

04:09

Bolivian teacher invests salary to install cubicles against COVID-19 on classroom desksBolivian teacher invests salary to install cubicles against COVID-19 on classroom desks

February 26, 2021 at 16:35 GMT +00:00

View all videos