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The bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in London has received official support from the UK government. If successful, the event will return to London Stadium, which last hosted the championships in 2017. Additionally, the government is also backing a bid for the World Para Athletics Championships in 2029, with the host city yet to be confirmed. The government has agreed to provide significant funding for both bids, pending confirmation of financial support from partners.
A funding package of approximately £45m is being arranged, with around £10m expected to come from the London Mayor’s office and £35m from central government. The announcement has brought renewed excitement to the sport, following a successful Diamond League meeting at London Stadium that attracted a sell-out crowd of 60,000 spectators. The event has garnered widespread support, with over 100 prominent British athletes penning an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging the government to back London’s bid.
Despite initial concerns over funding and spending cuts, discussions have been ongoing with UK Athletics and UK Sport to secure the necessary financial support. Starmer has expressed his delight in supporting the bid, highlighting the positive impact hosting the championships would have on the country. UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner emphasized the potential for the event to elevate British athletics to new heights, citing recent successes on the global stage as evidence of the sport’s growth in the UK. Olympic medallist Josh Kerr echoed this sentiment, expressing his pride in supporting the bid and highlighting the opportunity to showcase the nation’s talent on home soil.
Former British athlete and BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram praised the government’s decision to back the bid, emphasizing the significance of hosting major championships in venues like London Stadium. Cram highlighted London’s accessibility for European audiences as a key factor in the bid’s potential success, expressing optimism about the city’s chances of securing the championships. The endorsement from the government has bolstered hopes for both the World Athletics Championships and the Para Championships, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting the outcome of the bidding process
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