UK Athletics Bid for 2017 World Athletics Championship

UK Athletics are putting together a bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium despite the doubts that over its immediate future after the Olympics.

The bid, which will be led by London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, will have the full backing of the UK Government and Mayor of London, UK Athletics claimed.

Coe will lead a number of organisations UK Athletics, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Sport and London & Partners, the London Mayor’s promotional agency. 

The double Olympic gold medallist will personally submit the bid at this year’s IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu and a decision is expected in Monte Carlo on November 12, where Doha and an unnamed Spanish city, probably Barcelona, will also be contenders.

“The IAAF and the athletics family have been unwavering in their support for an Olympic legacy and played a crucial role in securing it,” said Coe, a member of the IAAF’s ruling Council. 

“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.”

UK Athletics have committed to the bid despite the fact that Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient are disputing the decision earlier this year to award the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 to West Ham United. Tottenham are looking for a review on the matter.