Modern Kaohsiung-Heading for a Better Cause / 高雄市的努力 世界看得到
Kaohsiung city Mayor, Frank Hsieh described Kaohsiung as a city that is "racing with the times".
After signing the contract to host the 2009 World Games on June 14 in cooperation with the Chairman of the International World Games Association (IWGA), Mr. Ron Froehlich and the Secretary-General, Mr. Co Koren, the Mayor immediately held a preparations meeting on the following day. Kaohsiung has been very active in preparing to show itself and Taiwan off to the rest of the world.
The Mayor stated with confidence that the city's reputation of being the ocean capital, coupled with state-of-the-art construction for the 2009 World Games makes Kaohsiung a city that is on it's way to becoming one of international standard.
Kaohsiung will host the World Games on July 16, 2009, whereby competition will last for 16 days. In preparation for this great event, Kaohsiung will host all kinds of sporting competitions beginning on July 16 each year for the five years leading up to the World Games. These lead-up competitions will serve as test events for the 2009 World Games.
Dr. Huang Chi-Huang (Deputy Minister of National Council on Physical Fitness and Sports) has been appointed as the managing director of the 2009 World Games. This important responsibility rests on Dr. Huang's shoulders due to his professionalism in the field of sports, his knowledge of various sports, and also due to his ability to speak fluent English. Not only will Dr. Huang have to use new technology and equipment, but also understand Kaohsiung's administration systems, and be able to represent Kaohsiung in communications with the World Game's committees. In addition to that, as managing director, Dr. Huang will be responsible for preparing all relevant announcements relating to the event, will have to familiarize himself with all the different sport's rules, as well as keep up-to-date with the construction for the games.
On July 15, Mayor Hsieh led a total of 300 people, made up of government officials and athletes from many different sports in a march through Central Park where they waved and greeted the rest of the world. After marching through Central Park, the group moved to Love River for the ceremony of the unveiling of the countdown clock. At that moment, it became official that in 1,827 days, the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung would be the event that presents Taiwan to the rest of the world.
On July 16, Kaohsiung announced that they would launch an official website for the 2009 World Games (www.worldgames2009.org.tw) and hopes that this website would serve as the most effective and efficient means of communication for the citizens of the world to learn about the event. President of the IWGA, Mr. Ron Froehlich stated in a letter that the 2009 World Games hosted by Kaohsiung would be the most successful World Games ever. Therefore, Kaohsiung's hard work will be seen by the whole world.
「高雄市現在可以說是與時間賽跑」高雄市長謝長廷如此說。
六月十四日，與國際世界運動委員會主席Mr.Ron Froehlich和秘書長Mr.Co Koren簽約主辦2009年奸運會後，十五日隨即召開籌備的研商會議，以及七月一連三天的造勢活動。高雄市積極的作法，無疑是宣告將以「跳躍式」與「重點式」的步伐，帶領高雄、甚至台灣邁入國際。
我們可以說，高雄市以「only one」的角度切入，成功找到了自己的優點。「未來高雄市的整體建設將在『海洋首都』的縱軸目標下，以2009世界運動會舉辦為橫軸貫穿各項市政建設，逐步將高雄市帶向國際級的都會城市。」謝市長滿懷信心的對外界表示。
為配合世運會將於2009年的七月十六日起一連舉辦十天，謝市長表示，未來五年時間，每一年的七月十六日，市府都應規劃相關體育比賽，以為世運會熱身。
首先登場的，是攸關世運會舉辦成敗關鍵的體育總監人選，在千挑萬選中出爐，那就是甫擔任體委會副主委的黃啟煌博士。或許有人會問，何以這位總監需要如此慎重？
謝市長對外解釋，依規定，世運會應有一名體育總監，必須是體育專業出身，熟知各種運動常識與良好外語，能操作現代化科技資訊設備，還要了解高雄市與行政系統，代表高雄市與世界運動會委員會溝通。此外，還有從現在開始到籌備會組成為止的對外發言，各個運動項目比賽的規格與條件的交涉，甚至連主場地等建設，也期望借身分之便，向中央等單位爭取和協調。可見，體育總監就所賦予的重責大任。
緊接著，謝市長十五日再度率領市府團隊、槌球、劍道、拳擊、柔道等各類運動健將，以及各界代表三百餘人齊聚中央公園運動場，相互擊掌，一起向世界「Say Hi」。
一夥人以輕鬆的運動服打扮，遊行到愛河畔，為「世界之祝─倒數鐘」的啟用揭幕，也象徵從此刻開始的1827個日子後，高雄市讓台灣成功走出國際，讓世界走進來！
延續兩天的熱鬧氣氛，十六日，高雄市公佈以近一個月時間就架設起來的2009世運專屬網站（網址為www.worldgames2009.org.tw），希望藉由網際網路的溝通平台，以最快速度讓世運相關訊息傳遞給全世界知道。
「高雄市主辦2009世運會將會是最成功的一次」世運會主席郎佛契捎來一封信，以期待的口吻肯定高雄市。
高雄市的努力，世界看得到。