Peru withdraws as host of 2024 U-20 world championship over political unrest

The World Athletics (WA) has withdrawn the hosting rights of the 2024 under-20 championships from Lima, the capital of Peru.

The federation announced the decision in a statement on its website on Wednesday.

WA said the country’s athletics federation had reached out over its inability to host the event due to “recent political instability and social unrest, as well as natural disasters”.

“Due to circumstances beyond its control, Lima has withdrawn as the host city of the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships,” the statement reads.

“The Peruvian Athletics Federation has informed World Athletics that recent political instability and social unrest, as well as natural disasters in Peru, have left the federation and the local organising committee unable to stage the event next year.”

The age-grade athletics competition was expected to be held in Lima from August 26 to 31, 2024.

World Athletics said it was already in discussion with a replacement host for next year’s event and would provide more information in due course.

Over the past two months, Peru has experienced waves of protests and unrest after Pedro Castillo was removed as the president of the country and Dina Boluarte, his vice, took power.

The situation also led to FIFA taking away the country’s hosting rights of the 2023 under-17 World Cup.