JAMAICA WITHDRAWS FROM IAAF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS BIDDERS RACE

As the bidding process heats up for a new host to the 2016 World Junior Championships, Jamaica will not be among the contenders as originally announced. This after the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) President, Dr. Warren Blake announced on Tuesday that the country has forfeited the initial plans due to the financial hurdles set out for the host of these international events by the International Athletics Administration Federation (IAAF).

“It requires in excess of US$10 million (approximately J$1billion). The Government would have to issue a bond to cover that amount and with the IMF constraints it really was a non-starter,” said the JAAA President.

The games was initially awarded to Kazan. Russia, who was recently suspended from all competitions in the wake of revelations of state-sponsored doping.

The IAAF will now evaluate each bidder before a decision on the destination the event is made.

The forefront for the biennial event includes Finland, Australia, Canada and Poland. Jamaica was host to the 2002 edition of the games.

A Conference call for candidates was held on Wednesday where bidders faced a question and answer session. The candidates have up the 22 December, 2015 to complete bid applications and submit to the IAAF.

A comprehensive review of all applications will be done by the IAAF council between December 23, 2015 to January 6, 2016.

The IAAF Council will vote electronically on the new host venue. The successful candidate city will be announced on January 7, 2016.