All 173 affiliated members of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) received with great satisfaction the news at the 2005 World Congress, held in Shanghai, China, of the selection of the beautiful island of Jeju, Republic of Korea, as the venue site for the 2007 IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships and IFBB International Congress.
                             
In fact, there is a long history of success and a tradition of excellence from previous IFBB World Championships organized in Asia and, amongst all of them, fond memories from all national teams of their participation in the previous World Championships held in the capital city of Seoul, South Korea, 1993.

This success is not happening by chance, and is based on sound reasoning: the legendary tradition of Asian hospitality combined with the commitment of well trained and highly motivated organizing committees under the master leadership of our IFBB Executive Assistant to the President and IFBB Vice President for Asia, Datuk Paul Chua.

Paul Chua, with thirty-five years of successful and outstanding service to our International Federation, has linked to this 2007 World Championship one of our world's best structured federations, the Korean Bodybuilding Federation (KBBF). In a recent trip to Seoul, accompanied by Paul, I met with the KBBF President and his executive committee members and evaluated their great capacity and commitment to success in all of their activities.

Jeju Island is a paradise; a unique tourist resort equipped with all kinds of natural attractions and with high quality infrastructure in hotels, airport and communications. All of which positions Jeju as a very attractive meeting point for our most important event of the year, the IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships and IFBB International Congress.

Jeju authorities, headed by Governor Kim Tae Hwan, are providing maximum support to the Korean Bodybuilding Federation and to IFBB Executive Assistant to the President and IFBB Vice President for Asia, Datuk Paul Chua, for this World Championship.

Athletes and delegates from the five continents will meet this October in the Republic of Korea, at the friendly island of Jeju, to compete in the most exciting and challenging event in bodybuilding. International television channels, including Eurovision, Eurosport and satellite worldwide retransmission, will spread to millions of spectators the most beautiful images of our champions.

I take this opportunity to thank the Jeju Governor Kim Tae Hwan, ABBF President Datuk Paul Chua, the Korean Federation and all executive and organizing committee members for their dedication towards assuring the IFBB and the Asian and Korean federations achieve yet another meaningful success for the excellence of our sport and lifestyle.

Wishing a very successful and enjoyable trip to all delegations and all the best for our supporters and friends in Jeju, Republic of Korea, and worldwide.

Yours in sport,

Dr Rafael Santonja
IFBB International President