The eighth edition of the biennial World Cross Country Championships is scheduled to take place at the Sunken Meadow State Park Cross Country course on April 2 and 3.

It will be the first to be held in the Americas with six of the previous seven editions having been staged in Europe and the other in South Africa in 2004.

Barry Holman, co-founder of Athletes Without Limits, the US's member organisation of Inas, said: "Over the past five years Athletes Without Limits has taken US athletes to dozens of Inas Championships.

"In 2014 alone, US athletes competed in six countries across three continents, bringing home two world championships, multiple national records and many personal best performances.

"We are very proud to bring the first-ever Inas World Championships to the United States."

The Cross Country Championships will be organised by Thunder USA, who are said to be committed to making the Championships not only a memorable competition; but an exciting and fun experience for the international field of competitors.

"Thunder USA is dedicated to delivering an exceptional Championships for the athletes, coaches, dignitaries, and spectators," said Sonja Robinson, director of Thunder USA.

"While we have assembled a team that has organised and staged hundreds of world class events we look forward to working with the INAS officials for these Championships."

Jose Costa Pereira, Inas athletics director, added: "It will be a big challenge, but at the same time very exciting to organise this great championship in a fantastic and cosmopolitan city as New York.

"I'm sure it will be a great event at all levels, organisational and by the outstanding performances of the participating athletes."

Meanwhile, Bethany Beach will play host to the seventh edition of the Inas World Tennis Championships at the Sea Colony Beach and Tennis Resort from June 12 to 18.

Boasting some 34 tennis courts and voted US Tennis Association Outstanding Facility of the Year in 2012, the venue is said to offer great facilities for athletes to excel.

As hosts, the US will be looking to build on their performances at the 2014 edition of the event in France where they picked up a gold in the women’s singles through Brittany Tagliarini and a silver and bronze in the mixed doubles competitions.

Katherine Richards and Ryan Smith finished runners-up, while Tagliarini partnered Jonathan Fried to third spot. 

"Sea Colony Beach & Tennis Resort in Delaware, USA will be an excellent venue for the 2016 World Tennis Championships," said Lesley Whitehead, Inas tennis director.

"I look forward to seeing many of our nations supporting this event which will provide excellent tennis competition for our players."



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