Russia suggests Kazan as future Olympic host

KAZAN, Russia (AP) Russia says its central city of Kazan could be a future Olympic host, with less than two months before the application deadline for the 2024 summer games.

Kazan is currently hosting the world aquatics championships. While visiting the event, Russian Olympic Committee head Alexander Zhukov said he was ''sure this city could cope with hosting the Summer Olympics'' in comments reported by Russia's Tass agency.

Kazan, in the traditionally Muslim Tatarstan region of central Russia, will be one of 11 host cities for the 2018 soccer World Cup in Russia. Two years ago, it held the University Games, a multi-sport event with a similar number of athletes to the Olympics.

Applications for the 2024 Olympics close September 15 and the host city will be selected two years later.