The town of Nove Mesto na Morave, which played host to the 2013 edition of the event, has been put forward by the Czech Republic as their proposed venue for the Championships as the country look to stage the competition for only the second time.

Italy have bid to stage the competition for the sixth time in Antholz, while Slovenia are hopeful that Pokljuka will be successful again, having previously stage World Championship events in 1998, 2001 and 2006.

Oberhof is the final candidate for the 2020 Championships, with the German winter sport resort having staged the event for the only time back in 2004.

All four candidates are also in among the contenders to stage the Championships the following year.

They face further competition from Tyumen, which is located in Siberia, with the Russian city vying to host the event for the first time in its history.

Russia have previously hosted three Biathlon World Championship competitions in Khanty-Mansiysk.

A decision on the hosts of the Championships is due to be made by the IBU at their Congress, which is scheduled to take place from September 1 to 4 in Chisinau, Moldova.

The 2017 edition of the event is due to take place in the Austrian town Hochfilzen, while Östersund in Sweden will host the 2019 competition.

It follows the Championships taking its year break, with the competition not held in Olympic years.