Yokohama to host 2019 IAAF World Relays News

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Yokohama to host 2019 IAAF World Relays

By Daily Sports on October 13, 2018

Japan will now host two of the biggest events on the athletics calendar in successive years after the choice of Yokohama for the 2019 IAAF World Relays.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said in a statement on Friday that its Council voted this week to award the 2019 edition of the World Relays to Yokohama.

Already preparing to host the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan will now welcome the athletics world a year earlier.

It will host the IAAF World Relays at the Yokohama International Stadium on May 11 to May 12.

After The Bahamas Government confirmed that it would no longer be able to offer the financial guarantee necessary for the event in Nassau, the need for a change arose.

Several member-federations then contacted the IAAF directly to express their interest in hosting the 2019 World Relays.

Following very careful consideration, Japan was considered to be the preferred location.

The first three editions of the IAAF World Relays, in 2014, 2015 and 2017, were held in the Bahamian capital, which proved to be an exceptional host of the new event.

Speaking on the development, IAAF President Sebastian Coe thanked The Bahamas for its key role in establishing the World Relays as a successful competition.

He then welcomed Yokohama as only the second city to host the event.

“I am delighted that Yokohama has stepped in to host our youngest World Athletics Series event and I am confident that they will do an outstanding job in spite of the short preparation period,” Coe said.

It is now Japan’s most multi-cultural city, and the average high temperature in May will expectedly be 22.4 degrees Celsius. (NAN)

•Photo shows IAAF President Sebastian Coe

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 13, 2018