India launch bid to host 2016 IAAF World Junior Athletics

NEW DELHI: India has launched its bid to host the 2016 edition of IAAF World Junior (Under-20 boys and girls) Athletics Championships after the event was stripped off from Russia in the wake of the doping scandal which recently hit that country.

The Championships was originally scheduled to be held at the Russian city of Kazan from July 19 to 24 next year but now will have to reallocated at another country following doping-related suspension of the Russia's membership by the IAAF.

India is among three countries which have expressed interest to host the Championships, the two other being Perth in Australia and Bydgoszcz in Poland.

India has not yet named the host city but Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officials said that New Delhi will be the most likely venue if the country is awarded the event.

Following the stripping off of the event from Russia, an accelerated bid process was opened to choose a new venue. IAAF member federations were formally invited to submit applications by December7 and three countries responded.

There will be a conference call for candidates today with the IAAF to provide supplementary information and to answer questions. On December 22, completed bid applications will have to be submitted to the IAAF.

The applications will be reviewed by the IAAF from December 23 to January 6. The host city will be announced on January 7 through electronic vote by the IAAF Council.

AFI President Adille Sumariwalla was recently elected as one of the members of the IAAF Council.

On the development, IAAF President Sebastian Coe said, "The IAAF is extremely grateful to its Member Federations for their support. Reallocating the U20 championships is of vital importance. We are safeguarding the dreams and aspirations of athletes worldwide."