With the official presentation against the media and the sports authorities of Ibagué and Tolima, the 67th World Artistic Skating Championship for Seniors began and the 28th for the junior category, the sixth to be held on Colombian territory.
The act that served to present the advances of the organization and the work prior to the initial assembly for the fulfillment of the championship, was headed by the president of the Colombian Skating Federation, responsible for the event, José Acevedo, the world vice president of World Skate and president of the World Skate America, Alberto Herrera Ayala, the governor of Tolima, José Ricardo Orozco Valero; and the mayor of Ibagué, Andrés Fabián Hurtado Barrera, accompanied by their respective recreation and sports managers, Paola Arbeláez Arenas and Juan Sebastián Fonseca, respectively, as well as Orlando Cortez, president of the Tolimense Skating League.
The words of welcome as host and first authority of the “musical capital”, were given by the mayor Andrés Fabián Hurtado Barrera, who presented the almost one hundred sporting events that have taken place in Ibagué in the last three and a half years and, with pride, of the construction of the “Coliseo mayor”. “It was a matter that hurt all of us Ibaguereños, and it was a purpose of our administration to finish the sports complex, but especially, this coliseum, the most important sports infrastructure work in Colombia today, where we have invested almost 60 billion pesos.” said the mayor Andrés.
At the same time, the governor of Tolimenses, José Ricardo Orozco Valero, thanked the designation by World Skate and the Colombian Skating Federation, so that the red capital was chosen as the venue for the championship. “This event consolidates Ibagué and Tolima, as a center for major sporting events”, in addition to emphasizing the economic benefit that an event of this type brings to the region, which will be attended by at least five thousand people circulating, who will contribute to the development of different sectors of the formal and informal economy of Ibagué and Tolima. “We hope to be excellent hosts,” said the governor.
On behalf of World Skate, the world vice president and top artistic skating leader in America, Alberto Herrera Ayala, thanked the Ibagué Mayor’s Office and the Tolima Governor’s Office for their endorsement and support. “On behalf of our president, Sabatino Aracu, we want to thank these friends, Dr. Ricardo and Dr. Andrés, for supporting skating, not only in Colombia, but also in America and the world,” and also recalled that in the last three years, two Pan-American championships have been held on Ibaguereño and Tolima soil, with close to 3,600 athletes, as well as the 2021 World Speed Championship, with almost five thousand people as visitors, including athletes and companions. “Today the whole world recognizes Ibagué and Tolima as a high-level sports destination”; concluded the leader.
At the end, the president of the Colombian Skating Federation, José Acevedo, began his speech with the presentation and greeting, through a video, of the president of World Skate, Sabatino Aracu, who, from Italy, sent a message of thanks to the authorities of Ibagué and Tolima, the media and the people who will enjoy this world championship.
The Colombian leader focused his speech on appreciating the effort made by the governor Ricardo Orozco and mayor Andrés Hurtado in pro of sports, as well as impact and development works for the region. “It is difficult to find in the country a union of wills so well carried out, thinking of the people and the positive influence in the medium and long term that their purposes can reflect in the communities; for that, a thousand thanks to both of you”. He said he.
Likewise, the president of Fedepatín thanked the media for their support, dissemination and promulgation of it. “I will not get tired of thanking you, it is you, the media, who really tell the country and the world about the efforts made by the sports and administrative leadership for the development and impact of an entire community; They are going to see and enjoy a wonderful event, being the first time that an event of this type has been held with the opportunity to open a venue, such as the Sensational “Coliseo Mayor”. There is a lot of expectation in the more than 40 countries that have announced their presence, to know this venue”, concluded Acevedo.
At the meeting, a well-deserved tribute was paid, from a distance, to the double world artistic skating champion, the Colombian Edwin Guevara, star of this noble modality, and who gave Colombia the first gold medals in the world championships.
Likewise, the official image of the event, its graphic pieces and its visual identity, as well as the mascot, FITO, The velvet-fronted euphonia that changed its name, was presented to the authorities and members representing the media. blue plumage due to red wine to match the colors of Tolima. FITO is a tribute to the exuberant nature that inhabits the middle and upper valley of the Magdalena River, and its name is the acronym for Fauna – Ibagué – Tolima… FITO.
Thus, everything was ready and in the hands of the organizational team of the Colombian Skating Federation, to experience the Ibagué – Tolima 2023 World Artistic Skating Championship from September 19.
