The 15th World Athletics Championships is drawing a constant presence, with the Bird’s Nest Stadium becoming a magnet for all the Chinese and everyone in China following the championships — the stadium rarely has an empty seat, and the vast majority of those present create a picture of excitement at the races and events, interacting fully with the champions. The stadium is also seeing exceptional interest from the world athletics family, with the continuous presence of IAAF Council members, represented by Major General Dahlan Al Hamad, IAAF Vice-President and President of the Qatar and Asian federations, Lamine Diack, the former IAAF President, and Sebastian Coe, recently elected as President, along with the rest of the Council members and federation officials — making this championship’s administrative presence the most notable in the history of the World Championships, given the full attendance of the IAAF’s General Assembly members at this great event.
