Cheboksary and Kazan stripped of IAAF championships

The IAAF has stripped Cheboksary and Kazan of two major events in 2016 following the full suspension of the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF).

Kazan was due to host the World U20 Junior Championships in July, while the city of Cheboksary will no longer hold the World Race Walking Team Championships earlier in the year.

An accelerated bidding process for both events has now been opened by the IAAF, which is inviting bids from other cities ahead of a decision being made on January 7.

ARAF was suspended indefinitely by the IAAF following allegations of state-sponsored doping made in a report by an independent commission established by WADA.

A doping inspection process is expected to begin in early January, with the first report due back to the IAAF Council on March 27.

Following its suspension, ARAF is also expected to establish an "effective operational anti-doping framework", while implementing reforms that will deter future cases.