SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 35TH IAAF WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, MOMBASA GOLF CLUB, 24TH MARCH, 2007

The President of International Association of Athletes Federations, Mr. Lamine Diack,

Members of the IAAF Council

Distinguished Delegates, Visitors and Athletes,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I wish to warmly welcome all of you to Kenya for the 35th World Cross Country Championships in this ancient and beautiful port city of Mombasa. I welcome all the athletes who have come to participate in this event, and the thousands of other visitors who have come to watch them run.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mombasa, known in antiquity as Mvita, is an ancient city, more than five hundred years old. For centuries, just like today, it has welcomed visitors from all over the world. Over the centuries, Arabs, Persians, Indians, Portuguese, and British, have come to these shores, each leaving a permanent imprint on the city’s history and culture.

Today, like in the ages past, Mombasa, continues to play its historic role, as the gateway to Kenya, and Eastern Africa. It continues to welcome visitors to its shores, to enjoy its historic sites, its wonderful and welcoming culture, and its excellent hospitality. I invite all of you to tour the city and its surroundings after this event, and enjoy the wonderful tourist attractions and hospitality that Mombasa and its people have to offer.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is the 35th Edition of the World Cross Country Championships, and the event is being held in Africa for the third time. For us in Kenya, this is an important international event in which we have participated 22 times and won 20 times. We are therefore truly honoured that the World Cross Country Championships have finally come home.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the International Association of Athletics Federations for showing its confidence in Kenya by hosting this event in our country. I also thank the local committees for having done all that was necessary to ensure that we have a world-class event today. I commend the Mombasa Golf Club for accepting to host this event at these beautiful and scenic grounds.

Finally, I extend our warmest compliments to all the athletes who have come from all corners of the world to compete in this event. I wish you all an excellent race, and may the best team win.

Thank You and God bless you all.