The European Athletics Council made the decision at its mieeting in Sofia after the Czech Athletics Federation presented their candidacy to host the 33rd edition of the event.

A successful bid from Istanbul would have helped give the Turkish city's campaign to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics a boost but they were overlooked for the Czech capital.

It was the second disappointment for Istanbul, who last November had also been overlooked for the outdoor version of the European Championships in 2016, when Amsterdam were chosen instead.

European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz said: "We are very pleased to confirm that Prague will be the hosts of the European Athletics Indoor Championships in 2015."

Czech Athletics Federation President Libor Varhanik said to the Council: "Thank you very much for putting your trust in us, and we welcome you all to Prague in 2015."

Olympic javelin champion and world record holder Barbora Špotáková (pictured above centre) was among the Prague delegation which made its final presentation to the Council.

Prague hosted the 1967 European Indoor Games, the precursor to the European Athletics Indoor Championships, and the 1978 European Athletics Championships.

The next European Athletics Indoor Championships are scheduled for Gothenburg in March 2013.

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