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The organisers of the World Orienteering Championships 2012 present their event at the "Comptoir Suisse" in Lausanne, the biggest fair in the French part of Switzerland, with a short orienteering race in the area between the exhibition halls.
On the opening day Jacques Perrin (left), president of the organising club, took the opportunity of the guest reception to give a compass to Didier Burkhalter, member of the Swiss Federal Council (right) .


More than 130'000 people visit every year the "Comptoir Suisse" in the Palais de Beaulieu. The organising committee of the WOC 2012 use this very popular event (until 25 September) to spread more information about the World Championships in July 2012. But also an orienteering activity will be offered: A short and easy course with seven controls has been set in the small park with fountains and a little lake. Kids but also visitors, not having heard before about orienteering, can take the chance to try and to learn reading an orienteering map.

On Friday, during the traditional opening tour, Jacques Perrin used his connections to promote the championships on highest political level. Didier Burkhalter, member of the Swiss Federal Council, received from the WOC a compass - "in order not to lose the right direction. The second compass Perrin handed over, is foreseen for Johann Schneider-Ammann, also member of the Swiss Federal Council. But regarding the potential use of the gift there is a big difference between the two members of the Swiss governement. Schneider-Ammann is a long time orienteering runner and therefore well experienced to use this tool.