2021 World Track Championships awarded to Eugene, Ore.
The International Association of Athletic Federations has awarded the 2021 World Track Championships to Eugene, Ore., it announced on Thursday.
Eugene, the home of the University of Oregon, is often hailed as “TrackTown USA.”
The major event was given to Eugene without going through the traditional bidding process. IAAF president Lamine Diack explained the decision to bypass bidding.
“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.”
“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."
In addition, Eugene is the first American city to host the IAAF World Championships. The city previously put forth a formal bid for the 2019 edition, but that attempt failed. Eugene hosted the United States Olympic trials in 2012.
The 2015 event will be held in Beijing, and London will host in 2017. Doha, Qatar will host the 2019 Championships.
- Brad Rowland
