Mayor backs London’s 2017 athletics championship bid

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson will join a top delegation in Monaco to lend his support to London's bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will decide tomorrow whether London or Doha will host the 2017 world championships. The Mayor will be part of the team - including Sports Minister Hugh Robertson MP, IAAF Vice-President and LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe and UK Athletics chair Ed Warner - presenting to IAAF members before they cast their votes this afternoon.

If London is chosen, the IAAF 2017 World Championships, one of the most prestigious events on the world athletics calendar, will be staged in the capital's magnificent Olympic Stadium and provide a huge boost to the local and wider economy.

After the 2012 Games the Stadium will be converted into a world class thriving multi-sport venue with athletics at its heart ideal for international athletics competitions which London has a long track record in staging.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“London is the perfect place to welcome the global athletics family in 2017 and has put together a great bid that will deliver a memorable world championships. Both competitors and spectators will be spoilt for choice in a capital with so much to see and do during their stay.

“The world’s finest sports men and women will be able to compete in one of the finest athletics venues on the planet, packed with passionate fans cheering them on to break new records. And in a city where more than 300 languages are spoken, they will be able to count on strong support from their respective expatriate communities.”