18 August 2011

UK Athletics today confirmed it will bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium in London with the full backing of the UK Government and Mayor of London.

The bid will be led by Lord Sebastian Coe and supported by a coalition from UKA, DCMS, UK Sport and London & Partners , the Mayor of London’s official promotional agency. Coe will personally submit the bid at this year’s IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu and a decision is expected on 11th November 2011.

Lord Coe said: “The IAAF and the athletics family have been unwavering in their support for an Olympic legacy and played a crucial role in securing it. A successful bid will be our opportunity to say thank you for that constant support by delivering a fantastic IAAF World Championships in London that will help drive more young people in to the sport.”

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said: “The demand for London 2012 athletics tickets proves the level of public support that exists for world class track and field. Hosting the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships would be a wonderful legacy from London 2012 and help us fulfil a commitment made during the bid. We have vast experience in hosting world class sporting events and London would be a fantastic location for the Championships. It would provide a considerable boost to the capital’s economy and help grow the sport by inspiring young people.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "London is one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse cities in the world and so athletes can count on some fantastic support if we are lucky enough to host the World Athletics Championships in 2017. We have a magnificent stadium to offer as a venue and I am in no doubt that we can fill it to the rafters with cheering athletics fans representing every corner of the world. Staging this highly-regarded competition also presents us with a huge opportunity to build even further on the economic and sporting legacy of the 2012 Games and so I really hope that London is the winning bid."

Liz Nicholl, UK Sport’s Chief Executive, said: “UK Sport is committed to using the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a catalyst for bringing even more world class events to towns and cities right across the UK. We have already started to secure events for 2013-2018 and the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships would make a fantastic addition to this ambitious programme, so we are delighted to be supporting UKA’s bid and have no doubt that we could deliver a spectacular event.”

UKA Chairman Ed Warner said: “Today is a very proud day for athletics in the UK, to be able to confirm to the IAAF, with the full support of all our partners that we will submit a bid to host the 2017 World Championships. We have the resources, the technical excellence and of course a deep rooted passion for sport. That combined with this committed coalition is, I hope a winning combination for the number one Olympic sport.”