Canada submits proposal to host 2007 women's World Cup

[François]

Canada submits proposal to host 2007 women's World Cup of
soccer
By Neil Davidson
TORONTO (CP) -- The Canadian Soccer Association has formally
submitted its bid to host the 2007 women's World Cup.
Canada had already indicated its plan to bid, but submitted the
signed paperwork Wednesday.
FIFA is now expected to give Canada six months to answer its list
of requirements for hosting the 16-country world championship.
FIFA's executive committee will announce the winning bidder next
March.
"The clock is ticking," said Kevan Pipe, chief operating
officer of the Canadian Soccer Association.
Pipe expects France to also submit a bid.
Canada's proposal will be boosted by the success of last summer's
inaugural women's under-19 world championship, which was split
between Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria.
That tournament marked only the second time Canada has hosted a
FIFA world championship. In 1987, Canada held the world under-17
championship.
The 2003 women's World Cup is scheduled for this fall in China,
following tournaments in the U.S. (1999), Sweden (1995) and China
(1991).
The Canadian bid will revolve around Edmonton's Commonwealth
Stadium and a new venue planned for Toronto.
Commonwealth Stadium would host the final, because FIFA requires
a 60,000-seat stadium for the championship game.
Other potential venues include Ottawa (Frank Clair Stadium) and
Vancouver (Swangard Stadium). Montreal and Hamilton could be used if
Molson Stadium and Ivor Wynne decide to install the kind of
artificial grass that is acceptable to FIFA.
Montreal's Claude Robillard Stadium is another option.
The Canadian Soccer Association plans to meet next week with the
federal government to discuss the budget of the women's World Cup
bid.