The World Cross Country championship is to return to Ireland for the second time in three years, following a decision yesterday by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) that Dublin would stage the event in March 2001.

Meeting in Monaco, IAAF officials voted to award the race to the newly-formed Irish Athletics Association, despite a counter bid by the Belgian Federation.

It is a ringing vote of endorsement of the new structures in the administration of Irish athletics and the role that Ireland has played in the development of cross country running down through the years on the international arena.

The championship, elevated to full world status in the early 1970s, was held in Ireland for the first time in 1979 and watched by a huge crowd in Limerick, John Treacy retaining the title he had won in Glasgow the previous year.

In March this year the race was staged in Belfast as the IAAF's gesture of support for the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Now, the race is set to be held in Dublin for the first time with the Phoenix Park the probable venue.

Driving through the Phoenix Park for a meeting with President Mary McAleese three years ago, the late president of the IAAF, Dr Primo Nebiolo, remarked that it would be an ideal setting for the World Cross Country championship.

If the Phoenix Park is unavailable, an alternative venue may be sought in north Dublin, with Malahide Castle a possible choice.