2019 Euro Games host decision delayed due to Russian doping

PRAGUE (AP) The European Olympic Committees say a decision about the host of the 2019 European Games will be delayed due to the Russian doping scandal.

Patrick Hickey, the EOC president, told the general assembly in Prague on Friday that after the Netherlands pulled out ''our preferred host nation was Russia.''

But Russia cannot host or bid for international events after its athletics federation was suspended by the IAAF.

Hickey says Russia remains the EOC preferred host for the games, ''that is provided the independent authorities can confirm Russian ability to support an anti-doping program that meets the highest international standards.''