Sporting Digest: Athletics

MEXICO CITY is to host the 1997 World Championships, the IAAF announced yesterday. Johannesburg was the only other city in contention but had already withdrawn. Some athletes have already spoken out against the decision, saying that the high altitude would work against long-distance runners.

RAYMOND DE VRIES, the Dutch agent, has been banned for life by the IAAF for allegedly failing to pay athletes' appearance money.