Boxing legend and Mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko was the guest of honour at Friday’s Champions League draw.
With this year’s final set to be held in the Ukrainian capital city, Klitschko extended a warm welcome to all guests coming to the city on May 26.
He was joined by Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko to officially take possession of the Champions League trophy following the draw at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Boxing legend Vitali Klitschko gives a speech at the Champions League semi-final draw – he is the Mayor of Kiev, where this season’s final will be held on May 26
Klitschko (left) and Ukrainian football hero Andriy Shevchenko were officially presented with the Champions League trophy by UEFA
The trophy will certainly be in safe hands with Klitschko, the former heavyweight champion
Former heavyweight world champion Klitschko said: ‘To tell the truth, as Mayor, I am very excited that for 2018, Kiev is the European football capital.
‘Ukraine’s main city will host the Champions League final for the first time. This high profile sporting event is very important for us.
‘As a former professional athlete and the Mayor of Kiev, my goal is to transform Kiev into the true sports city it is. I am very concerned that sports has no borders and has the power to change the world.
‘I am looking forward to this year’s final and offer a warm welcome to the football players as well as everyone visiting to watch the game.
Klitschko, the city’s Mayor since 2014, gave a passionate speech ahead of the semi-final draw
The Mayor spoke about how Kiev is ‘especially beautiful in May’ when the final will be held
Klitschko receives the Champions League trophy from UEFA’s Giorgio Marchetti in Nyon
UEFA’s Pedro Pinto asks Klitschko and Shevchenko to take good care of the trophy
‘Our city has centuries of old history and its own special life and I hope all visitors will appreciate our famous sense of humour and our tradition of hospitality.
‘Kiev is dynamic European city, reaching the opportunities of talented people with sporting and recreational activities all year round.
‘Kiev is a beautiful city in Spring, especially beautiful in May. So all our guests will enjoy the most exciting Champions League final yet and a wonderful stay in our city.
‘You are always welcome in Kiev, welcome to the 2018 European football capital.’
Shevchenko conducted the semi-final draw, with Liverpool paired with Roma and reigning champions Real Madrid set to play Bayern Munich.
Klitschko, 46, has been involved in politics since 2005 and has served as Kiev’s Mayor since June 2014.