Anaheim, Calif., has stepped in to replace Penang as host of the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships, it has been announced today, after the Malaysian state encountered “difficulties” and resigned as organizer.
It will mark the second successive American edition after Houston was awarded the 2015 event.
No precise reason has yet been given for Penang’s difficulties, although insidethegames understands that it relates to domestic political problems which have led to financial consequences.
“We are saddened that Penang will not be able to host the 2017 IWF World Championships,” said International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Tamás Aján.
“The people of Penang and Malaysia are always so welcoming to our athletes.
“We are grateful that Anaheim stepped in to host the world’s biggest weightlifting competition of 2017.”
Competition will take place from November 28 until December 5 at the Anaheim Convention Center in the Californian city.
The venue is the largest exhibit facility on the west coast of the US and hosted wrestling action at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics.
It will come less than three months after the vote to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games – in which nearby Los Angeles is currently facing competition from Budapest and Paris.
“It is an honor to welcome the 2017 IWF World Championships to the United States,” added USA Weightlifting chief executive Phil Andrews.
“We thank the IWF Executive Board for their trust in hosting the sport’s biggest event of 2017.
“We look forward to working with our partners at the IWF and Visit Anaheim to hold a great event for the athletes.”
Penang was chosen as host by the IWF in 2014 ahead of “strong bids” from three other nations: Belarus, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
By Nick Butler
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.