Organizing such an international congress, particularly in the relatively emerging field of obesity, which is perhaps less structured than many others, was a true challenge and we are very pleased that the scientific community considers that we have deserved its trust.

Almost 3,000 delegates from 63 countries attended – double the previous ICO in 1994, and greatly exceeding our expectations. Some will argue that it was the lure of Paris, but clearly this did not distract participants. The session rooms were often so overcrowded that many had to stand. There were very few who declined among the experts from 18 countries invited to give plenary lectures, tutorials, meet the professor, workshop sessions and symposia.

The press coverage in specialized and general public media following the press conference and the daily press points, was rather impressive in France and abroad. Editing the book of the proceedings is now in an active phase with more than 95 % of the requested contributions received in due time.

We tried to cover the broad spectrum of the numerous topics relevant to obesity, from molecular biology and genetics to psychosocial aspects and practical management even though it is clear that all these domains are not developing at the same pace. It was indeed of crucial importance to enable participants to find many opportunities for in-depth discussions and exchanges with colleagues from the same field but to get new insights into areas less familiar to them.

The success of this final congress of the 20th century has relied on many factors, not least the dramatic development of basic science in the past few years, which attracted the attention of the medical and scientific community. Indeed this congress was the first since the discovery of leptin and many other key players in the very complex physiological network that is the basis on which obesity can develop. 

The congress also benefited from the input that obesity received from the work of IOTF which largely contributed to put the focus on obesity outside the restricted circle of those who attend regularly. Other features include the heuristic idea of our Canadian colleagues in 1994 to design the scientific organization by tracks, allowing each participant to find a daily interest and importantly the financial support of the so called «sponsors» who are in fact both partners respecting our scientific independence and active scientific players.

Coping with scientific, logistic and financial responsibilities were difficult tasks and we are happy to come close to the end. There is a strong feeling that the 8th ICO contributed to opening new ways of communicating and that obesity is now acquiring the status of a full discipline, owing to the efforts of everyone, including the IASO executive. This is up to the mark of the public health challenge.

Best of luck to our Brazilian colleagues. Who wins the 2002 football world cup remains a matter of debate!

Bernard Guy Grand and Gérard Ailhaud
Co-presidents, 8^th ICO