Triathlon Opens Bidding for 2018 Events -- Federations Focus

(ATR) Also: busy week for FIFA Ethics Committee; Paris to host 2020 European Athletics Championships.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31:
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Athletes exit the water after completing swim leg during the Vitality World Triathlon London - ITU World Championships Series at Hyde Park on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

(ATR) The International Triathlon Union is seeking hosts for its 2018 calendar of events.

Interested cities have been given a deadline of June 20 to submit applications to host the ITU World Triathlon Series (WTS) and ITU World Cups in 2018.

The WTS consists of 10 races around the world that culminates in the Grand Final where the title of world champion and $2 million of prize money are up for grabs.

The ITU World Cup events are the second-tier events for the federation but still offer the opportunity for athletes to qualify for the WTS or the Olympic Games and other international events. The ITU says both of its competitions will offer cities extensive international media coverage and the opportunity to connect with millions of people online and on site.

"The World Triathlon Series is the pinnacle of our sport, and brings the World’s best Triathletes to a city, offering international exposure to a global audience, and a live thrilling atmosphere of the elite level racing," said ITU president and IOC member Marisol Casado.

"Triathlon as a sport continues to grow around the globe, attracting thousands of Triathletes and spectators to our events, and we offer the cities the possibility of hosting one of our exciting events, an ideal way to promote sport, and the city gaining international attention."

Cities interested in organizing the 2018 ITU World Cup events must submit their bids by June 20 and successful cities will be notified on Sep. 10.

Busy Week for FIFA Ethics Committee

The adjudicatory chamber of the independent FIFA Ethics Committee continues its work rooting out corruption and ethics violators with two new proceedings.

On April 28, the committee provisionally banned Guam Football Association president Richard K. Lai for 90 days for his guilty plea in the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigations into corruption in world football.

Lai’s guilty plea was published on April 27 and is in connection to the investigation of wire fraud conspiracy among FIFA’s former top brass. Lai’s ban may be extended for up to 45 days while the committee continues to investigate and decide his full punishment.

The committee also opened adjudicatory proceedings against Caribbean Football Union president Gordon Derrick on April 28. The proceedings follow an investigation by investigatory chamber chairman Cornel Borbely that focused on "alleged conflicts of interest, offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, mismanagement of funds, abuse of position and disloyalty", according to the committee.

In his report, Borbely suggested a ban of no less than four years for Derrick and a fine of $15,000. Derrick has been invited by the chamber to explain his case and supply any evidence he believes could clear his name.

The general secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association may also request a hearing.

Paris Earns 2020 European Athletics Champs

The bid city for the 2024 Olympic Games won the right to stage another championship in France in an attempt to add to their hosting experience.

The French Athletics Federation has been tapped to host the 2020 European Athletics Championships in the country’s capital of Paris. The European Athletics Association made the announcement on April 28, confirming that Paris as the only bid for the event would host.

Georgia’s capital Tbilisi had also expressed interest in hosting the event but withdrew its bid in 2016.

"This decision of the European Athletics Association confirms the dynamism of Paris, which is perceived throughout the world as a leading and attractive city in the sports field," says Paris Deputy Mayor of Sport Jean-Francois Martins.

Martins adds that "the know-how and experience of the City of Paris to host the biggest sporting events in the world are, with this decision, once again recognized".

The European Championships are returning to Paris for the first time since 1938. The championships will be held at the 20,000 capacity Charléty Stadium at the end of August in 2020.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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