Team USA was the overall winner of the inaugural Athletics World Cup held at the London Stadium.getty images
IAAF President Sebastian Coe hailed the inaugural two-day Athletics World Cup at the London Stadium, which was won by the U.S. on Sunday, "as a success" and said that other cities "have expressed interest in hosting what is expected to be a biennial event," according to Neil Robinson of REUTERS. The U.S. won six of Sunday’s 15 events to extend its 24-point overnight lead and finish with 219 points, 57 points ahead of second-placed Poland, and claim the $450,000 prize money. Despite "criticism of the format, a half-empty stadium and the absence of many of the world’s top athletes," Coe said that he had "already had discussions about other cities taking on the event." Coe: "Other cities have expressed an interest and I have had several conversations." He "could not confirm British media reports that China is in line to take the event" in '20 and the U.S. in '22 (REUTERS, 7/15).
LOOKING AHEAD: In London, Riath Al-Samarrai reported discussions "are underway for two further editions." China has made an expression of interest for '20 and the U.S. "opened a dialogue about hosting the biennial showdown" in '22. China's CCTV and NBC "are already in talks" over the TV rights, while all eight of the nations which took part in London "have committed to the next edition if they qualify via their medal table placing" at the 2019 World Championships (DAILY MAIL, 7/14).
