Renamed Russia, No USA at Handball World Championship -- Federation Focus

(ATR) The 27th Men’s Handball World Championship began on January 13 with the hosts Egypt defeating Chile 35-29 in Cairo.

A record 32 teams are vying for the trophy. The 108 matches will be played at four venues in the Egyptian capital through January 31. No spectators and no media are allowed from outside the bubble set up for the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The teams from the Czech Republic and the United States were forced to withdraw after several positive tests before their departures for Egypt. North Macedonia has replaced the Czechs and Switzerland will be filling in for the Americans.

The event will mark the first time that Russian athletes will be competing without their flag and anthem since the World Anti-Doping Agency sanctions came into effect last month following the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling.

The team will wear a neutral uniform and be called "Russian Handball Federation Team". A white flag with a text-less version of the Russian Handball Federation logo will be used. The anthem issue was only resolved at the last minute, with the International Handball Federation anthem to be used. The Russian team's first game is on January 14 against Belarus.

AIBA, ITA Extend Agreement

International boxing federation AIBA and the International Testing Agency (ITA) will launch a large-scale anti-doping educational program next month.

AIBA renewed its contract with ITA for 2021 on January 11, with AIBA president Umar Kremlev and ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen signing the agreement at the ITA headquarters.

"Discussions are already underway to ensure that this partnership becomes a long-term one to further strengthen AIBA’s clean sport efforts," Cohen said in a statement.

Kremlev said that the educational program will become an important part of cooperation between the two organizations.

‘We have agreed with the ITA to hold at least 4 seminars per year not only for representatives of national federations but also for athletes and coaches. We kick off our initial education program during the AIBA Continental Forums, which will be organized virtually in February and March. This is an important step towards making boxing a completely doping-free sport,’ the AIBA President said.

Cohen stressed that the educational program will be adequately prepared and rolled out to the entire boxing community.

World Athletics Seeks Future Hosts

Cities interested in hosting future World Athletics Series events, including the 2025 World Athletics Championships, can register by March 1, 2021.

The world championships is the third largest sporting event in the world, according to World Athletics. Approximately 2000 athletes from more than 200 countries compete for 49 gold medals.

Hosts are also being sought for the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships and the 2023 World Athletics Relays.

"By partnering with World Athletics, a host city takes on a global spotlight, driving the elite profile of athletics both locally and internationally, and encouraging more active communities through legacy programs that we can help our host cities to develop," World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

Bid guides, which outline the benefits for hosts as well as the requirements, processes and timelines involved, are available for all three events here.

Written by Gerard Farek

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