ANCHOR: And the countdown begins for the IAAF Athletic World Championships which will be held in Daegu, South Korea in 2011. The 1000-day countdown began on Sunday in anticipation of the major athletic event. STORY: 1000 days and counting…South Korea held a ceremony in lead up to the Athletic Championships. The days will be kept score on the scoreboard clock for everyone to see. Daegu Mayor Kim Bum-il is calling for the participation of all citizens in the Athletic World Championships. [Kim Bum-il, Daegu Mayor]: “As an earnest request to the Daegu people, to ensure the success of the event, every citizen should be like a host of the Athletic World Championships. A representative of the IAAF also attended the event. [Pierre Weiss, Secretary-General, IAAF]: “Close systematic cooperation with the government will be not only a primary role but also raise the level of the Athletic World Championships.” The Athletics World Championship was first held in 1983 and is held every 2nd year. At the 2011 Daegu Athletics World Championships, 213 countries and 3500 athletes are expected to participate. Daegus City Council expects a 600 billion dollar boost to the economy from the event. The games officially start on the 27th of August and run through September 4, 2011. NTD, Daegu, South Korea.