World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has been thrust into a desperate search for a new host city following the shock withdrawal of Tokyo from staging the 2025 World Championships.
The Japanese capital's organising committee delivered the bombshell decision to Lord Coe, citing difficulties in securing financial support and sponsorship in the current economic climate. This development throws the prestigious global event into turmoil just two years before it is due to begin.
'We are now in discussion with a number of cities that have expressed interest in hosting the 2025 World Athletics Championships,' a World Athletics spokesperson confirmed, highlighting the urgent need to find a replacement.
A Recurring Problem for Global Athletics
This is not the first time the governing body has faced such a crisis. The 2019 championships in Doha were plagued by notoriously low attendance, raising serious questions about the event's planning and location selection process.
The search for a new host is likely to focus on cities with existing, ready-to-use facilities to avoid a last-minute scramble. Potential candidates may include previous hosts or cities with recent Olympic infrastructure.
Financial Pressures and the Future of Major Events
Tokyo's pullout underscores the immense financial pressures facing cities considering hosting large-scale international sporting events. The rising costs and complex logistics involved have made governments and organising committees increasingly cautious.
This incident will likely force World Athletics to re-evaluate its bidding and support processes for future championships to ensure stability and prevent similar late cancellations.
All eyes are now on Lord Coe and his team as they work against the clock to secure a suitable venue and protect the integrity of one of the world's premier sporting competitions.
