London awarded 2017 World Athletics Championships

London has won its bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championship after it was selected ahead of Doha to stage the event by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

This will be the first time the United Kingdom has held the Championships after failed bids in 2001 and 2015 while in 2005 the games were relocated to Helsinki after a planned stadium in Picketts Lock failed to emerge and the Don Valley stadium was deemed not good enough by the IAAF.

After the announcement Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, the Olympic Host Borough, revealed his delight at the successful bid.

He said: “I am delighted that the World Athletic Championships 2017 are coming to Newham. Our original proposals for the Stadium envisaged hosting the Championships and winning this event will help secure a lasting legacy from the 2012 Games.

“East London has a long and proud athletics history and hosting this event will contribute to our efforts to increase sports participation rates across the borough as part of the original 2012 bid book promise. Winning this bid will continue to inspire our youngsters to become involved in sport long after the Olympics have finished.”