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MOSCOW (AP) — Rome and Kiev are among the bidders to host track and field events that were taken away from Russia when it was suspended last month by the IAAF because of a doping scandal.
The IAAF says in a statement that the world junior championships, which were due to be in Kazan in July, have attracted three bidders: Perth, Australia; Bydogoszcz, Poland; and an India city yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Rome and Kiev have bid for the world race walking team championships, which were to be in Cheboksary in May. Also bidding are Monterrey, Mexico, and Guayaquil, Ecuador.
"Considering the necessary speed of the process, that seven member federations from five continental areas have formally expressed an interest in bidding is clear evidence that the events have appeal," IAAF President Sebastian Coe said in a statement.
The new hosts will be chosen on Jan. 7 in an electronic vote by the IAAF council.
Russia was suspended on Nov. 13 after a World Anti-Doping Agency commission accused the country's athletics federation of complicity in a state-sponsored program of doping and drug test manipulation.
Of the possible hosts for the reallocated events, some have had their own doping problems. Ukraine's national anti-doping agency was suspended last month by WADA for using a non-accredited laboratory. If Italy hosts the race walking championships, one of those missing will be Italian Olympic champion walker Alex Schwazer, who was banned for doping in 2012.
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