BEIJING (AP) β The IAAF has awarded the 2021 world athletics championships to Eugene, Oregon, the first time the event will be held in the United States.
The IAAF says Thursday’s decision, which bypassed the usual bidding process, was driven by the popularity of track and field in the American market.
It says the financial support offered by the governor of Oregon and the United States Olympic Committee, as well as NBC’s commitment to produce and broadcast the event, led to the decision.
While cities usually compete to hold such events, the IAAF also awarded the 2007 world championships to Osaka, Japan, without opening it to bidding.
Eugene’s bid last November to host the 2019 world championships was not successful.
