The decision by the scandal-hit IAAF to award the 2021 World Athletics Championships to the American city of Eugene is being investigated by French prosecutors, the BBC has learned. 

Eugene, closely linked to sportswear giant Nike, was given the event without the usual bidding process.

French officials are investigating corruption allegations involving former IAAF president Lamine Diack already.

And they have launched a fresh inquiry into how Eugene won the 2021 event.

Last month, current IAAF president Lord Coe severed his links to Nike two days after a BBC story suggested he had held talks with Diack and Nike about the awarding of the 2021 event while he was on the Nike payroll. 

Lord Coe said at the time that he "did not lobby anyone" over Eugene's bid, but simply "encouraged them to re-enter another bidding cycle as they had a strong bid".

An email, dated 30 January 2015, from Nike executive Craig Masback to …

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