The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) says seven countries have shown interest to host the IAAF World U-20 Championships and the 2016 World Race Walking Cup, respectively.
This is contained in a statement by the information and communication department of the IAAF on Wednesday in France.
The Championships were originally slated to hold in Kazan, Russia but due to the suspension of the All Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF), the hosting right was removed.
The 2016 World Race Walking Cup was originally scheduled for Cheboksary, Russia.
It said “the IAAF is pleased to confirm that letters of interest have been received from seven Member Federations interested in hosting the IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships.
“And also the hosting of the IAAF World U-20 Championships.
“An accelerated bidding process was opened for the two events following the full suspension of the Russian IAAF Member Federation ARAF, who were originally set to stage both competitions.”
It said that IAAF Member Federations were formally invited to submit applications by December 7.
The statement added that the interested federations for IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships were Ecuador (Guayaquil), Italy (Rome), Mexico (Monterrey) and Ukraine (Kiev).
It also said that those interested in the IAAF World U-20 Championships were Australia (Perth), India (city to be confirmed) and Poland (Bydgoszcz).
“The IAAF is extremely grateful to its Member Federations for their support, reallocating the race walking team.
“And the U-20 championships are of vital importance,’’ it quoted Sebastian Coe, IAAF President as saying.
“We are safeguarding the dreams and aspirations of athletes worldwide.
“Considering the necessary speed of the process, that seven Member Federations from five continental areas have formally expressed an interest in bidding is clear evidence that the events have appeal.”
It also said that by Dec. 22. 2015, completed bid applications must have been submitted to the IAAF. By Dec. 23 to Jan. 6, 2016, the applications would be reviewed by IAAF.
“By Jan. 7, 2016 there would be an electronic vote by the IAAF Council on host venue. Successful candidate city would be announced,” the statement added.
