The president of the International Athletics Association (WA) inaugurated the stadium in Budapest hosting the World Athletics Championships. According to Sebastian Coe, the builders did a fantastic job, so the 2,000 competitors from more than 200 countries in the World Championships starting on August 19 can achieve outstanding performances in the National Athletic Center in Budapest.
In the new facility hosting the event, the president of the International Athletics Association (WA) on Thursday encouraged the Hungarian people to visit the World Cup as they can be part of historic moments. He added that the athletes have already proven their outstanding form at this year’s Diamond League competitions. After that, the two-time Olympic champion Coe, accompanied by the athletes of the Bp. Honvéd and Gödöllő EAC, inaugurated the Mondo track, on which he ran a lap with the children – FM Business reports with reference to MTI.
National Athletic Center – the largest athletics stadium and training centre in Central Europe
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Minister of National Defense responsible for sports, reminded us in his speech that Hungary won the right to host the World Cup in December 2018. The minister called the National Athletic Center a miracle and thanked the designer Marcel Ferencz, who, according to him, brought Hungarian knowledge to the facility, Balázs Fürjes, who coordinated the construction, government commissioner Ádám Schmidt, and the contractors who made it happen.
“We are standing in the middle of the crown of the queen of sports, this modern facility that meets all needs is the largest athletic stadium and training centre in Central Europe,” – the minister emphasized. He also drew attention to the fact that 35,000 people can support the world’s best athletes in the Budapest facility in August. After the World Cup, an outdoor gym and a walking track will be available to recreational athletes, and athletics competitions can as well be organized here in front of 15,000 spectators.
The new facility will host the biggest sports event in Hungary’s history
“We hope that very enthusiastic fans will come to the World Cup to support the athletes. Let’s not forget that five of Hungary’s ten Olympic champions in athletics won their titles in the hammer throw, and this number will also take place at the beginning of the World Cup,” – the president of the WA pointed out, and then thanked the Hungarian government and the capital for their support.
The Budapest Athletics World Cup will be the biggest sports event in the history of Hungary, which will be held between August 19 and 27 at the National Athletic Center and the Heroes Square, which hosts street running and walking competitions.
Source: MTI / Zoltán Balogh
