Santry Demesne is venue for European Championships Pictures show Paddy Marley and Liam Hennessy with EAA President Hansjorg Wirz and Treasurer Karel Pilny at the signing of the agreement to host the 2009 European Cross Country Championships. The venue was chosen at the EAA Calendar Congress in Malta. Paris, Gothenburg and Dublin have been awarded the right to host future European Athletics events after a number of decisions were made by the European Athletics Council in Malta this morning. “We have four winners here today” said European Athletics President Hansjörg Wirz, after the votes were counted. “First of all, Paris, as they will host the European Athletics Indoor Championships in 2011, secondly Goteborg as they will host the Indoor Championships of 2013, thirdly Dublin, as they will host their first SPAR European Cross Country Championships in 2009 and finally European Athletics, as we have three great cities willing to host our top events” Paris last hosted the European Athletics Indoor Championships in 1994 while Gothenburg did likewise in 1984. In other venue decisions, the Council agreed that the French city of Metz, will host the European Cup Race Walking in 2009. There is a change of date for Cork City Sports which will take place on 12th July 2008