Welcome Message

We extend our sincere welcome to all Masters Athletes, Officials, and WMA Executives from around the world visiting Daegu.

It is a great pleasure to host the World Masters Athletics Championships here in Daegu again, following the 2017 event. The Daegu Metropolitan City successfully hosted the 2011 World Athletics Championships and was officially designated by World Athletics (WA) as the World Athletics City.

Since then, we have continuously strived for the development of athletics and the nurturing of specialized athletics professionals through efforts such as the establishment of the Athletics Promotion Center and the hosting of the 2017 Daegu World Masters Indoor Athletics Championships. Furthermore, by hosting various international events, including securing the bid for the 2027 World Shooting Championships, we are leaping beyond 'International Athletics City Daegu’ to become 'International Sports City Daegu'.

Building on the experience of successfully hosting the 2017 championships, we will do our utmost, together with the WMA, to ensure the 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships will be remembered as the greatest Championships that writes a new chapter in the history of Masters Athletics.

We hope all athletes competing in the 2026 Daegu World Masters Athletics Championships will fully demonstrate the skills and thoroughly enjoy this event, allowing everyone to unite, transcending borders, race, religion, and language.

Additionally, we encourage you to experience the charm of Daegu, the 2026 host city, where nature and tradition, past and present, harmoniously converge.

Discover our ancient history and heritage at traditional landmarks throughout the city center, where various cultural performances and festivals unfold. We also hope you visit the tourist attractions where the future of Daegu is taking shape, taking time to comfort your mind and body and re-energize after all your hard training.

Together with the 2.4 million citizens of Daegu, we once again extend our warmest welcome to you all, and we wish every athlete great success.

Thank you.