It’s a great honour for Africa to host the 4th IAAF World Youth Championships. After the former three editions: Bydgoszcz (Polond) in 1999, Debrecen (Hungary) 2001 and Sherbrooke (Canada) 2003, the Moroccan city Marrakesh offers its hospitality to organise one of the most important 2005 meetings. This is a big happening for the African continent which is determined to demonstrate its know-how in staging successfully such world sporting manifestations.

After having been represented on tracks through its world renowned champions, the African athletics will, hence, launch in Marrakesh a new trend. This is another additional value for Morocco which has engraved one of the most glorious pages of the discipline in the Continent and has been awarded the hosting of world juvenile elite in athletics.

The African Athletics Confederation (AAC) will devote all its energy to provide the requisite for the success of these World Youth Championships to be held in Marrakesh..