The head of Europe’s track and field federation "has expressed surprise at the 'complete lack of process' in the decision to award the 2021 World Athletics Championships to Eugene, Oregon," according to the AP.
With Gothenburg also interested in hosting the '21 event, European and Swedish officials "were caught off-guard when the International Association of Athletics Federations bypassed the usual bidding process and handed the event to the U.S. for the first time."
The newly elected president of European Athletics, Norway’s Svein Arne Hansen, said in a statement, “I would like to congratulate USA Track & Field and Vin Lananna, who has led Eugene’s bid, but I must say I am very surprised by the complete lack of process in the decision the IAAF has taken. ... Swedish Athletics and the city had put in a lot of effort over the years to prepare the bidding application but they have not even been given the chance to bid for the event." With the Qatari city of Doha hosting the '19 event, Hansen said that "it will be the first time the championships will be held outside Europe for two consecutive editions." He said, "This is, of course, not good for the development of our sport on the continent" (AP, 4/16).
