London 2017 backed by Britain’s top athletes, release, note by Larry Eder

Mo Farah, 2011 WC 5,000m final, photo by PhotoRun.net

The decision for the 2017 World Championships will be made on November 11 in Monaco by the 27 members of the IAAF Council. London 2017 sent us this release today showing the support of the top stars from Daegu World Champs, including Mo Farah, Dai Greene and Hannah England.

Dai Greene, 2011 WC 400m hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net

The battle for the 2017 World Championships will be challenging. Doha is the other candidate, and they also have several challenges. It all depends on what the IAAF wants.  Do they want a new part of the world holding an outdoor World Champs? Do they want to provide a legacy to London 2012, and after two of last three World Champs in Asia, does the World Champs go back to Europe?

Hannah England, 2011 WC 1,500m, photo by PhotoRun.net

Those decisions will be made over the next six weeks. Stay tuned.

BRITAIN’S BEST BACK LONDON 2017

London 2017 World Athletics Championships bid unveils British ambassadors

Some
of Britain’s greatest athletes have today been unveiled as official
ambassadors for London’s bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics
Championships. 

Mo
Farah, the star of the recent World Championships in Daegu, heads the
list of names backing London 2017. He is joined by fellow World Champion
Dai Greene as well as Phillips Idowu and Hannah England. In addition, a
number of Great Britain’s legendary former athletes have joined the
current stars in providing their support, including Denise Lewis, Sally
Gunnell, Jonathan Edwards, Roger Black and Steve Cram.

A
successful London 2017 bid would see the world’s greatest athletes
returning to the Olympic Stadium and deliver a real legacy from London
2012 by bringing one of the biggest sporting events to the capital. 

Ed Warner, UKA Chairman commented: “I
am delighted that so many of our top athletes, past and present, have
backed London 2017. The message from the athletes loud and clear is that
London is the athlete’s choice. The athletes know that London 2017 will
deliver an iconic venue, full of passionate and knowledgeable fans.

World Champion Mo Farah said: “London
is such a fantastic multi-cultural city. We have great resources, great
people and a real love of sport, and it’s because of this that I think
it would be a fantastic host for the 2017 IAAF World Championships. The
athletes will all have an incredible experience in my home city and can
be sure that the fans will get right behind them.”

World Champion Dai Greene said: “I
am thrilled to get behind the country’s campaign to bring such a
prestigious event to the UK. I’ve just learnt what it means to be a
World Champion and do that on home soil in front of a British crowd
would be quite amazing. The support we get competing in front of a
packed crowd at Crystal Palace or Birmingham gives me goosebumps,
imagine what that would feel like in the Olympic Stadium.”

Phillips Idowu said: “London
is my home city and trust me when I say it is a great place to compete
in front of tens of thousands of fans. The fans are always so
passionate, every athlete loves competing in London and to host the 2017
World Athletics Championships here would be fantastic.”

Denise Lewis, said: “A
passionate crowd can make a real difference to an athletes’
performance. Competing in front of a loud, knowledgeable crowd is
important as it can really spur you on to perform at your best and break
records. British fans really love the sport and I have experienced this
first hand every time I competed here, there is always a special buzz.
That combined with the absolute commitment to the athlete experience is
why I believe the IAAF World Championships in 2017 should go to London.”

Jonathan Edwards, said: “I
can’t wait to see the Olympics in London next year. The IAAF and the
athletics family have been unwavering in their support of an Olympic
legacy  and what better way to demonstrate the positive effects of the
Olympics than by showing off that legacy in a fantastic IAAF World
Championships in 2017.

“There
is a real passion for athletics in the UK. More than 1.9 million people
applied for athletics tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games
demonstrating the incredible appetite there is for world class
competition. The athletes know if the 2017 IAAF World Championships come
here they can expect a knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd – what more
can you ask for?”

The
ambassadors will play a crucial role in the Bid process including
attendance at key events, meetings with stakeholders and use of imagery
in promotional materials.

The
London 2017 bid, which has been put together by UK Athletics, DCMS, the
Mayor of London, London & Partners and UK Sport, will be looking to
secure the votes of the 27 IAAF Council Members before the decision on
who will host the Championships is made in Monaco on November 11^th.

-Ends-

For more information please contact:

Alexandra Dallas  @ Pitch

E: [email protected]

Full List of British London 2017 Ambassadors:

Mo Farah

2011 World Champion – 5,000m

2011 World Championship silver medallist – 10,000m

Phillips Idowu

2011 World Championship silver medallist – triple jump

2009 World Champion – triple jump

Hannah England

2011 World Championship silver medallist – 1,500m

Dai Greene

2011 World Champion – 400m hurdles

2009 World Championship silver medallist – 4x400m relay

Sally Gunnell

1993 World Champions – 400 m hurdles

1993 World Championship bronze medallist – 4x400m relay

1991 World Championship silver medallist – 400m hurdles

Jonathan Edwards

2001 World Champion – triple jump

1999 World Championship bronze medallist – triple jump

1997 World Championship silver medallist – triple jump

1995 World Champion – triple jump

1993 World Championship bronze medallist – triple jump

Denise Lewis

1999 World Championship silver medallist – heptathlon

1997 World Championship silver medallist – heptathlon