A new host sought for 2024 World Cross Country Championships

___________________

 ATHLETICS 

The 2024 edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships will have a new host after the Croatian cities of Medulin and Pula have been deemed not ready to host the competition.

A new European host is being sought, World Athletics said in a press statement on Friday.

The world athletics governing body said it is "in advanced negotiations with an alternative host in Europe".

Once that is settled, the plan is to have the event take place in March 2024.

Initially, the competition was scheduled to happen on February 10 next year in Medulin and Pula, but World Athletics said it "believes that preparations have not advanced sufficiently" for the two cities to play hosting duties.

"The new host will be announced before the end of September," said World Athletics.

Jacob Kiplimo (R) and Joshua Cheptegei finished first and third, respectively, in the senior men category at the last edition in Barthurst, Australia

The World Athletics Cross Country Championships have junior (men and women), senior (men and women) and mixed relay events.

Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo is the defending champion in the senior men category.

At the previous edition in the Australian city of Bathurst, Kiplimo's compatriot Joshua Cheptegei took silver. 

Uganda also took two senior team bronze medals.

Kenya topped the medal table with 10 medals (including six gold), Ethiopia were second — also on 10 medals — but with two gold while Uganda were third on four medals.

The US took two medals and hosts Australia bagged one medal.