**Colin Jackson and Welsh Sporting Icons Petition Government to Support London’s 2029 World Championships Bid**
Prominent figures in Welsh and British athletics are uniting to urge the UK government to back London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, which could once again put the nation at the centre of the global sporting stage. Led by Olympic silver medalist Colin Jackson, the group have made a compelling case in an open letter addressed to ministers, calling for public support and funding to bring one of athletics’ most prestigious events back to the capital.
Joining Jackson in this concerted effort are a host of distinguished names from Wales, including Iwan Thomas, Jeremiah Azu, Dai Greene, Christian Malcolm and Joe Brier—each bringing their own decorated track records and insights as elite competitors. Their signatures appear alongside more than a hundred notable supporters from across the United Kingdom, among them sporting legends such as Sir Mo Farah, Dame Kelly Holmes, Jonathan Edwards, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Paula Radcliffe, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Dina Asher-Smith, and Daley Thompson. Collectively, these endorsers represent decades of British excellence in athletics and a shared belief in the transformative power of hosting world-class events.
The campaign to secure the 2029 Championships is spearheaded by Athletic Ventures, a partnership formed by UK Athletics, London Marathon Events, and the Great Run Company. The proposal envisions London Stadium as the main venue, with detailed plans requesting a single year of public investment in 2028. The sum required, estimated at £45 million, is being set against ambitious expectations of a £400 million-plus boost to the UK economy, reflecting both direct and indirect benefits for communities and businesses nationwide.
Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics, expressed enthusiasm about the wave of athlete support. “When former and current athletes band together like this, it’s a powerful reminder of what hosting a major event can do, not only for the sport but for the country as a whole,” Buckner remarked. He highlighted the pivotal impact that high-profile, home-soil events have on participation at the grassroots level, as well as the unique opportunities for Welsh communities to welcome and host elite international teams during their preparations for the Championships.
Supporters of the London bid argue that the impact would extend well beyond the spectacle of the event itself. The legacy could see British athletics clubs revitalised by a surge in interest, Welsh venues bustling as training camps, and millions inspired to take up sport by seeing their heroes compete on home turf. The open letter insists that this is a rare window to galvanise and unite the nation while showcasing the best Britain has to offer in organisational capability and sporting hospitality.
The momentum behind this bid follows a successful period for British athletics. At the most recent Summer Olympics in Paris, Team GB secured ten medals in track and field—their highest haul in forty years. The London Diamond League, meanwhile, has become a global highlight, selling out rapidly and drawing world-class talent and crowds year after year. Next year, Birmingham is also set to host the European Athletics Championships, indicative of the UK’s established reputation as a venue for major international meets.
Grassroots engagement is equally strong. A record 1.1 million people have entered the ballot for the 2025 London Marathon, underscoring the enduring popularity of mass participation events and hinting at the appetite for even larger sporting occasions. As event director Hugh Brasher noted, the Championships could be a “once-in-a-generation” chance to invest in British sport, delivering economic and community benefits that reach far beyond athletic circles.
Crucial to turning this vision into reality is timely government support. With the bidding process for 2029 set to begin this summer, organisers are making a final push for ministerial commitment in the coming weeks. Both Sporting and economic arguments are front and centre in their appeal—emphasising not just medals, but also unity, pride and lasting public benefit.
As the campaign grows, the voices of athletes carry particular weight. Their shared plea serves not only as testament to the allure of hosting a global competition, but also as a call to action for policymakers weighing up the value of sporting investment against immense potential returns.
In an era where positive, unifying national moments can feel scarce, London’s ambition to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029 is gathering significant support. Whether the government answers this call will soon become clear, with sporting communities across Wales and the UK watching closely for a decision that could redefine the nation’s global sporting legacy.