KAZAN, Russia – Russia is still willing to host the 2016 IAAF World Junior Championships in Kazan.
“Kazan announces full readiness to hold the event at a high organizational level with our exceptional hospitality, with spirit of goodwill and celebration of our sport,“ the organizing committee said in a statement.
The IAAF, on November 13, in a statement, said: “Russia will not be entitled to host the 2016 World Race Walking Cup (Cheboksary) and 2016 World Junior Championships (Kazan).
Kazan, a well known as Russia’s ‘capital of sport’ and hosted a successful edition of the World University Games in 2013.
According to the Kazan organizing committee, “this championship was expected to be the major sport event of the year for Kazan. We are preparing for it with huge inspiration, fulfilling all IAAF requirements, what was confirmed during last IAAF inspection visit, which took place on November 4-5.
“The decision about cancellation of the competition will have negative consequences for the development of athletics in Russia and Kazan,” the release said.
The IAAF said they “will announce the reallocation or cancellation of these two IAAF World Athletics Series events as soon as possible.”
The Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has provisionally suspended the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) as an IAAF Member with immediate effect.
The decision was taken at the 201st IAAF Council Meeting which was held by teleconference and chaired from London by IAAF President Sebastian Coe on November 13, 2015.
