Bidding Opens for 2019 Boxing World Championships -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The International Boxing Association (AIBA) says it has "several high-level bids to host the 2019 [World Championships]" but has not confirmed which cities and countries are bidding.

However, both the National Boxing Federations of Russia and Ukraine have independently confirmed their intention to stage the 2019 AIBA World Championships.

Boxing Federation of Russia president Umar Kremlev told Russian news agency TASS that the federation submitted a proposal to host the championships in Sochi. Kremlev says the BFR is also interested in hosting the 2018 AIBA Congress.

Fresh off the staging of the 2017 European Boxing Championships, the Ukrainian Boxing Federation is also aiming to land the 2019 world championships. UBF presidential advisor Dmitrij Gajstruk told Ukrainian media the strength of the European finals bodes well for a potential world championship in the country.

"All were satisfied with the level of organisation of the European Championships in Ukraine and the Boxing Federation felt the strength to hold tournaments of this level, with the next step bidding for the 2019 World Championships," Gajstruk said.

AIBA could not be reached for confirmation of all interested cities at this time but offered a statement that hints that more than just Russia and Ukraine are competing to host the event.

"The quality of bids and the competition to host our flagship tournament reflects everything that AIBA has been working towards to grow boxing’s audience and give the sport and its athletes the profile they deserve to perform on," AIBA president C.K. Wu said in a statement.

The 2019 bid race is the first in AIBA’s redefined bidding procedure established in March 2017. AIBA says the changes "reflect the growing demand from global broadcasters, brands and agencies to develop their boxing programming".

"AIBA has already achieved a 100% upscale of the tender in comparison to the 2017 edition and aims to continuously increase revenue streams in all areas of the sport during this next Olympic cycle."

Interested cities will make their final presentations to Wu and other AIBA Executive Committee members at a meeting scheduled for Moscow on July 24-25.

The 2019 host city will be announced during the 2017 AIBA World Championships in Hamburg, Germany that are taking place from Aug. 25 to Sep. 2.

FINA Champs Draw Multiple Bidders

The bidding race for the 2022 and 20224 World Short-Course Swimming Championships is now on.

Four cities have submitted bids to host the events including: Budapest, Hungary; Kazan, Russia; Chinese Taipei; and Hong Kong.

Budapest could have a stroke up on the competition if the 2017 World Aquatics Championships this month turn into a success. The 2017 FINA World Championships begin July 14 and conclude July 30.

The announcement of the bid cities follows a meeting of the FINA Bureau in Budapest ahead of the 2017 edition of the all-around championships. Along with the four bid cities, FINA named Budapest as the hosts of the 2018 World Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships.

Each of the cities bidding to host the short course championships are also bidding to host the FINA World Aquatics Convention.

FINA will determine the host of the two championships on July 17.

ITU Extends Partnership with SEL Sport & Events Logistics

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) and SEL Sport & Events Logistics (SEL) are growing their partnership.

SEL, which already serves as the global logistics partner for ITU, will be adding travel solutions to its remit under the new agreement.

"We are delighted to further develop our relationship with SEL, which has proven itself to be delivering and adding value to ITU to the highest standards," said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member, in a statement.

"The delivery of our branding elements from race to race all over the world, and the travels of all ITU staff, Technical Officials, and Executive Board are now centralized and organized to the best quality standards."

As a part of the deal, SEL will provide logistics and freight forwarding for ITU to all WTS events in 2017, and extend this service to all 16 World Cups , Paratriathlon World Series, and Paratriathlon World Cups.

A New Job for Mongolian Judo Association President

The International Judo Federation (IJF) is congratulating Mongolian Judo Association President Battulga Khaltmaa, who on Monday was officially inaugurated as the new President of Mongolia.

"Mr. Battulga has led the Mongolian Judo Association with great leadership and passion and I wish him every success as the head of state in Mongolia," IJF president Marius Vizer said in a statement.

"I congratulate Mr. Battulga on all his success in business and sport and we all look forward to seeing the Mongolian judo team in action at our World Championships next month in Budapest, Hungary."

Khaltmaa, who represents the opposition Democratic Party, won a run-off election on July 7, defeating parliament speaker Mieygombo Enkhbold of the Mongolian People's Party.

Written by Kevin Nutley and Gerard Farek.

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