London Bid For Worlds

16 MAR2011

UKA have confirmed their intention to bid to bring the 2017 World Athletics Championships to London, with the support of the UK Government and Greater London Authority. In a letter to the IAAF, the international governing body for athletics, the UK capital became the first city in the running to host the prestigious biennial event.

A formal bid is required to be submitted to the IAAF on September 1. This will be followed by an evaluation visit in October with a bid presentation and decision in November. Following the letter of intent, UKA are working with DCMS, Mayor of London, UK Sport and other agencies to develop the bid and supporting budget.

In a recent YouGov poll commissioned by Visit London, the World Athletics Championships was voted the most popular sports event for people to attend in London outside of the Olympic Games. The Championships has the potential to bring an economic boost to the city of £100 million.

UKA Chairman Ed Warner said: "The World Athletics Championships is the greatest sporting event never staged in the UK and we're committed to changing that.Athletics is a hugely popular sport in this country and I'm confident we can stage an outstanding Championships in front of a sell-out, knowledgeable crowd.

"Athletics is a truly global sport with more than 200 countries competing in the World Championships. London is a perfect partner for this event with 270 nations represented by its 7 million citizens. Every athlete from every country will be supported. We are a leading host for major sporting events and we have the experience and expertise to deliver a World Athletics Championships that will make the IAAF proud."

Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: "As the lead agency responsible for co-ordinating the bidding and staging of major sporting events in this country, we are determined to use 2012 as a catalyst to bring even more world class competition to towns and cities across the UK.

"A World Athletics Championships in London would undoubtedly add to this programme of inspirational sporting events and we are delighted to be supporting UKA with this letter of intent to bid for the 2017 event."