Dear Master athletes

It is my pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the arranging committee, to the beautiful, clean and Sport enthusiastic Finland. We are very proud that have received the honour of acting as the host for the 2009 Master Athletes World Championships. We are equally enthusiastic having the city of Lahti acting as the host City. Lahti is well known for its beautiful nature, a compact but lively city and most of all of its reputation as a centre of many Finnish sports, and a experienced host of several major international sporting events.

Why should you and your friends and family use this unique occasion to visit Finland? Visiting Lahti not only provides a unique opportunity to experience the Finnish nature at its prime. The light summer days are always worth the experience. But there are more opportunities at hand.
Using Lahti as an “anchor point” you will have great chances of visiting Helsinki, Lapland even St.Petersburg, Stockholm or Tallinn in our neighbouring countries. I’m confident that we will be able to provide you with setting that facilitates a well functioning Sporting experience but also a fantastic and unique cultural and natural experience to you and you close ones.

With these words I would like to wish all of the master athletes around the world most welcome to join us in Finland for a memorable Sporting experience – We will do our outmost to create a setting for us to experience the wonders of Master Athletes in a surrounding that is truly unique. We in Finland love our sports – I’m sure we will see a lot of Finns in Lahti, but even more so we would like to see You there with us

See you all in Lahti in 2009
Best Regards

Yrjö Närhinen
President of the Organizing Committee