The Japanese city of Osaka is almost certain to be awarded the 2007 World Athletics Championships later this month, the German sports agency SID reported on Thursday.
Osaka is the only candidate to host the championships. Under an agreement with the International Association of Athletics Federations and one of its main sponsors, Tokyo Broadcasting Systems (TBS), Japan is guaranteed a world championships before 2010, according to IAAF spokesman Nick Davies. Because of the agreement, no other city has applied.
