Russian city bids for world speed skating meet

Moscow, June 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti)

Speed skaters in action during this year’s Speedskating Championships at Sochi, Russia.

The Russian city of Kolomna is bidding to host the 2016 World Single Distance Speedskating Championships.

The city, a short drive southeast of Moscow, is a renowned speedskating centre and plays regular host to top-level international competitions such as a leg of this season’s World Cup and the 2008 European all-around championships.

“We’ve submitted the relevant documents,” said Alexei Kravtsov, the president of the Russian Speedskating Union.

“Kolomna’s bid has received preliminary approval.”

Next year’s Winter Olympic capital Sochi staged this season’s championships, and Dutch city Heerenveen is slated to host the 2015 edition.