7th April 2016

LONDON TO HOST 2017 IAAF CONGRESS AT EXCEL

07 April 2016 

The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) has announced that they will host their 2017 Congress at ExCeL in London on 2 and 3 August.

The IAAF Congress is expected to welcome 800 international delegates from more than 200 nations worldwide to the city. ExCeL was chosen in part due to its close proximity to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where IAAF World Championships London 2017 take place in the days immediately following the congress.

London 2017 will be the biggest event to be staged in the Olympic Stadium since the Olympic and Paralympic Games – with over 3000 athletes from over 200 nations competing over 17 days of action. The IAAF World Championships begin on 4 August and run until 13 August with the IPC World Championships taking place from 14 to 23 July. 

Niels de Vos, London 2017 Championships Director, said: “Next summer London will become the first city to jointly host the World ParaAthletics Championships and IAAF World Championships London 2017 in the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium.  We will also welcome the IAAF to London for their congress.   All the key decision makers in track and field from across the globe will be present for what will undoubtedly be a highly significant event for the world of athletics. It was important that we could provide a top class conference facility in a fitting environment so we are delighted that their congress will take place at ExCeL.”   

James Rees, Executive Director, ExCeL London, added: “We are delighted to have been selected as the host venue for the IAAF Congress and look forward to welcoming delegates to the comfort and privacy of our International Convention Centre. ExCeL’s location at the heart of London’s ‘events district’ means that delegates will be able to enjoy easy access to the Olympic Park and surrounding attractions, hotels and restaurants. We look forward to working with IAAF in the build-up to 2017, helping them to deliver a successful event for their delegates.”