Ban Ki-Moon grew up in the South Korean city and he joined FISA President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Presidential candidate Denis Oswald in welcoming competitors from a record 75 countries to the World Championships which run from tomorrow until next Sunday (September 1).

Welcoming the 1,940 athletes to his home city, Ban Ki-Moon had a short but simple message for everyone there, saying: "Sports has the power to bring out peace and development."

The UN chief and Oswald were also joined at the Opening Ceremony by Yoo Jeong Bok, South Korea's Minister of Security and Public Administration, Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Lee Si Jong, Governor of Chungchungbuk-do and Lee Jong Bae, Mayor of Chungju city.

Participants in the United Nations Youth Leadership Programme, currently in Gwangju for a leadership course, attended the Opening Ceremony also to learn about rowing and the sport's approach to the environment as well as being treated to performances from leading South Korean comedians, Jung Chan Woo and Kim Tae Kyun from "Culttwo", a South Korean comedic singing duo known for their funny renditions of popular songs

This year's World Championships will see competitors from Qatar, Namibia, Libya, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Vanuatu competing on the world stage for the first time at the Tangeum International Rowing Regatta venue.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2013: Exclusive - FISA unconcerned about fears over World Rowing Championships in Korea