Perth considers World Indoor Athletics
The WA Government's events marketing arm has had discussions with Athletics Australia about the possibility of hosting the prestigious event in Perth in March 2006.
But, before a formal bid can be considered and funded, Eventscorp must first satisfy itself of the benefits of staging such an event.
A spokeswoman for Eventscorp said the organisation would conduct a feasibility study on the economic benefits of hosting the event.
A formal bid would then have to be put to the sport's national controlling body, which would take it to an International Amateur Athletics Federation meeting in April.
Australia is favoured to host the world cross country championships and the world indoor athletics championships in 2006, to be run in conjunction with the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
But international athletics officials are concerned the Commonwealth Games are scheduled in the same month as the cross country and world indoors and that athletes may have a succession of long-distance flights.
IAAF president Lamine Diack has asked Athletics Australia to submit bids for both competitions to cut travel.
AA executive director Simon Allatson said the world indoor championships would be a prestigious money-making event.
The three possible venues for the $4 million indoor event are Telstra Dome in Melbourne, Burswood Dome's replacement in Perth and the Agricultural Dome at Homebush, Sydney.
Burswood Dome is due for demolition in 2004 but there has been talk of a smaller indoor stadium.
The Homebush option would be subject to financial support from the NSW Government.
