The new track, which is blue - the same colour as the one which staged the 2009 version of the Championships in Berlin's Olympic stadium – replaces the Class 1 track which had already been certified by the IAAF.

"One of the most prominent features is that it is the first blue-coloured track in the whole of Korea," said Bum-Il Kim, Mayor of the Daegu Metropolitan City.

"We have laid the groundwork for athletes to achieve their lifelong dreams in Daegu."

Dong-Jin Oh, President of the Korea Athletics Federation, stated that the national team athletes are training hard to meet the entry standards established by the IAAF. He assured the media: Tthe national team will do Korea proud".

Speaking at a press briefing IAAF Council Member and Technical Delegate Cesar Moreno praised the Local Organising Committee's (LOC) efficiency in delivering on its promises in terms of quality and punctuality.

Nine athletes who won medals in athletics at the recently concluded Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, were also invited to the ceremony.

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