15 April 2015 

Former Olympics Minister Dame Tessa Jowell has today been confirmed as the Chair for the London 2017 World Athletics Inspiration Programme.

Labour MP Jowell, who steps down from her Dulwich and West Norwood constituency in May’s General election played a key role in assisting the 2017 bid team secure the future of the athletics legacy within the Olympic Stadium, and subsequently the bid to host the World Championships.

Both the IAAF World Championships and the International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships will mark a spectacular summer of athletics with the two World Championships being staged in the same city for the first time ever in 2017.

Ed Warner, Chair of UK Athletics said: “We are delighted to have secured Tessa’s time and energy towards the World Championships, as Chair of our London 2017 World Athletics Inspiration Programme.

“The summer of 2017 will clearly inspire people onwards to athletic endeavour in London, across the UK and worldwide. It is vital that our work in capitalising on this inspiration be led by someone of Tessa’s standing and experience of the wide impact of great sporting events.”

“It is a real honour to Chair the London 2017 World Athletics Inspiration Programme. UK Athletics have already had great success in creating a strong legacy from London 2012. The opportunity is now there to go even further and look at all the different ways to inspire people through hosting the World Athletics Championships in 2017.  

Dame Tessa Jowell MP said: "I am passionate about using the power of sport to change lives for the better and look forward to working with the team over the next two years.” 

As Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell also pioneered London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is credited with bringing the entire government behind the bid.

The Organising Committee is delivering the two Championships on behalf of UK Athletics, the Greater London Authority and UK Sport, supported by Department for Culture Media and Sport, after both were awarded to London in 2011 and 2012.