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Eugene awarded 2021 IAAF World Championships

Published by
Athletics Weekly   Apr 16th 2015, 8:18am
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Usual bidding process is bypassed, with event to be held in the USA for the first time in 2021

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has awarded the 2021 IAAF World Championships to Eugene.

The world governing body announced the decision on Thursday, explaining how the proposal to award the competition to Eugene, bypassing the usual bidding process, was taken in response to what was seen as a “unique strategic opportunity” to host the event in the USA for the first time.

“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, whereby public authorities, the private sector, the national Olympic Committee, NBC and a particularly enthusiastic public are joining forces,” commented IAAF president Lamine Diack.

“Although this decision departs from the usual procedure, I am delighted that my council colleagues understood the enormous opportunity presented to us to access a key market and have taken a decision in the interest of the global development of our sport.”

Eugene had been beaten by Doha last year in the race to host the 2019 championships, the Qatari capital having received more votes by IAAF council members than Eugene and Barcelona.

As part of the Eugene presentation shown in Monte Carlo at that time, footage of Ashton Eaton s decathlon world record in Oregon was relived as the 27-year-old appeared on screen to describe the magic of Hayward Field. Eight-time world champion Allyson Felix also mentioned that magic in her role as speaker, while world record-holder Hicham El Guerrouj, speaking in French, said: “In one word, Eugene is the mecca of track and field.”

In closing, it was commented: “Destiny is calling us. America is waiting. Eugene is ready. Let s tell our story together.”

Vin Lananna, who led Eugene’s bid for the championships, said: “I thank president Diack and the council in supporting us.

“We promise to deliver an outstanding championships for the sport of track and field in America and around the world.”

Among those to react to the news was newly-elected European Athletics president Svein Arne Hansen, who expressed his surprise at the decision in a statement.

“I would like to congratulate USA Track & Field and Vin Lananna, who has led Eugene s bid, but I must say I am very surprised by the complete lack of process in the decision the IAAF has taken,” read the statement.

“The IAAF knew that Gothenburg was a serious candidate for the 2021 World Championships. Swedish Athletics and the city had put in a lot of effort over the years to prepare the bidding application but they have not even been given the chance to bid for the event.

“I have already spoken to Swedish Athletics federation president Bj rn Eriksson and he is deeply disappointed about what has happened. I completely understand the disappointment of Bj rn and G teborg & Co. CEO Camilla Nyman. I know that 2021 was the most important year for the city because it is when they will celebrate their 400th anniversary.

“This type of decision would just not happen within European Athletics as we have a comprehensive bidding process that all candidates must follow.”

While a bidding process does usually takes place for the World Championships, Osaka in Japan was also awarded the event in 2007 with no bidding process.

As Hansen highlighted, the 2021 edition taking place in the USA means it will be the first time a World Championships will be held outside of Europe for two consecutive editions.

“This is, of course, not good for the development of our sport on the continent,” commented Hansen. “European Athletics expects the World Championships to come back to Europe in 2023.”

You can read IAAF news on the awarding of the 2021 IAAF World Championships to Eugene here.

The post Eugene awarded 2021 IAAF World Championships appeared first on Athletics Weekly.



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