... to you in the name of our city and that is also in the name of the more than 500,000 citizens of Duisburg who make their city on the rivers Rhine and Ruhr a friendly, colourful and attractive setting for the World Games 2005. Duisburg is the eleventh largest city in Germany, a modern and multifaceted economic centre with a history of more than 1100 years. Widely interested, enthusiastic followers of sports from more than 140 countries live together here as good neighbours, creating a climate of open-mindedness, typical of this harbour town in the centre of Europe and just made for a meeting of and with athletes from all parts of the world.

Duisburg is a city of sports. There is not a year without international top events on the agenda. And for the World Games 2005 the city is still making another effort: together with the neighbouring towns Oberhausen, Mülheim and Bottrop, Duisburg wants to show itself at its best and make the World Games of non-olympic sports an unforgettable event. We know: enthralling competitions in the presence of international spectators are the most effective publicity for the different kinds of sports on their way up. To prepare an optimal framework for this - that is our aim until 2005. Professionalism and enthusiasm, warm-heartedness and friendship will characterize the World Games 2005.

Duisburg and its neighbours are looking forward to the World Games and welcome the sportswomen and sportsmen from all over the world.

Bärbel Zieling
Mayoress of the City of Duisburg