(ATR)The world athletics championships are headed to the United States for the first time.
In an unexpected move, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) council awarded the sport’s showcase event to Eugene, Oregon for 2021, averting the traditional bidding process.
The northwestern U.S. city came up short in its bid to attain the 2019 championships in November, losing to Doha, Qatar, 15-12, in the final round of voting. However, Eugene officials continued to lobby the IAAF with a revised proposal.
Eugene is steeped in tradition, having hosted numerous U.S. national championships, annual Diamond League events and was home to the 2014 world junior track and field championships.
The surprise announcement came on Thursday as the IAAF council convenes in Beijing, host of the 2015 world championships this August.
In a statement, IAAF president Lamine Diack said the decision was taken in the global interest of the sport.
"In granting the championships to Eugene, the IAAF Council have made a clear choice on a strategic decision that enables us to take advantage of a unique opportunity that may never arise again.
"It will see public authorities, the private sector, the national Olympic Committee, NBC and a particularly enthusiastic public joining forces."
The leader of Eugene’s bid effort, Vin Lananna, said that the U.S. city will meet its promises to the IAAF.
"We promise to deliver an outstanding championships for the sport of track and field in America and around the world," Lananna told the Associated Press.
The city of Eugene, with a population of 160,000, has close ties with sports brand Nike, has hosted the famed Prefontaine Classic since 1973 and is nicknamed Track Town, USA.
Constructed nearly 100 years ago, venerable Hayward Field is the home of the NCAA’s Oregon Ducks’ track and field program. The historic venue has produced numerous world records and is considered one of the world’s fastest
tracks.
The IAAF has bypassed the traditional bidding process previously, most recently awarding the 2007 world championships to Osaka, Japan.
Written by Brian Pinelli
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
