Barcelona replaces Madrid in bid for Euro champs

Barcelona has offered itself as a replacement for Madrid as a possible venue for the 2010 European Championships after the Spanish capital withdrew following its unsuccessful bid to hold the 2012 Olympics.

"The European Athletics Association decided that the council may substitute the city of Barcelona for Madrid," the EAA said.

"The evaluation procedure will now commence with Barcelona and the decision on the venue will be taken at the next Council meeting in April 2006."

Madrid lost out to London in the race to hold the 2012 Games and has since shelved some of its plans to update the city's sporting facilities. The Spanish capital was the only remaining candidate still bidding to hold the European outdoor championships in 2010.