Seven federations show interest in hosting 2016 IAAF events

Seven member federations have shown interest in hosting the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Race Walking Team Championships and the IAAF World U20 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.

IAAF Member Federations were formally invited to submit applications by December 7.

The interested federations are:

IAAF World Race Walking Team Championships

n Ecuador (Guayaquil)

n Italy (Rome)

n Mexico (Monterrey)

n Ukraine (Kiev)

IAAF World U20 Championships

n Australia (Perth)

n India (city to be confirmed)

n Poland (Bydgoszcz)

The city of Bydgoszcz hosted the World Junior Championships in 2008.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe commented: "The IAAF is extremely grateful to its Member Federations for their support. Reallocating the race walking team and the U20 championships is of vital importance. 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."

A conference call for candidates to the IAAF to provide supplementary information and to answer questions will be made today, completed bid applications must be submitted to the IAAF by December 22, the applications will be reviewed between December 23 and January 6 and electronic vote by the IAAF Council on host venue will be made on January 7 and the successful candidate city announced.