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23 August, 2007
Osaka , August 23, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - An Ethiopian athletics squad arrived in Osaka city later on Wednesday to take part in the 11th World Athletics Championship, to be launched this coming Saturday.
Arriving at Osaka Kansai Airport , the national athletics squad was welcomed by Ethiopian Ambassador to Japan, Abdureshid Dulleni, according to ENA’s Sport Reporter, Million Balkachew, who traveled with the squad.
The remaining athletes who were late to keep themselves from Osaka’s hot weather are expected to arrive on Friday, he said.
The hot Osaka city weather, which has been 35º Celsius, is getting a little bit colder following rains, he said, adding, this would be favorable for Ethiopian athletes.
All Ethiopian athletes included in the squad are in a good health, Dube said.
The national athletics squad comprises a total of 16 men and 17 woman athletes who were selected based on their performances since January 2006.
Out of the 33 athletes in the squad, 16 are participating at the world championships for the first time. Celebrated athletes such as Kenenisa Bekele, Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar are also in the squad.
The 11th IAAF World Athletics championship will be held from August 25 to September 2 in Osaka Japan
Meanwhile, the first session of the 46th the International Atheltis Association Federation Congress opened in Osaka City on Wednesday reelected Lamine Diack ( Senegal) as IAAF President.
The Ethiopian News Agency