**Britain’s Sporting Greats Rally for Government Backing of London’s Bid to Host 2029 World Championships**
A coalition of Britain’s most renowned athletes have joined forces to urge the UK government to provide crucial support for London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The call, delivered through a compelling open letter to the Prime Minister, highlights what the athletes have described as an unprecedented opportunity to inspire the British public, boost unity, and deliver a lasting legacy through sport.
Among those backing the campaign are household names such as Sir Mo Farah, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Keely Hodgkinson, Dame Kelly Holmes, Daley Thompson, Dina Asher-Smith, Paula Radcliffe, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and Jonathan Edwards. Spanning decades of achievement, these sports stars have united in their belief that hosting the event at the London Stadium in Stratford could galvanise fresh enthusiasm for athletics nationwide.
The athletes are calling for a £45 million investment from the government, arguing that timely public funding is essential to secure the event. Their plea is part of a wider campaign orchestrated by Athletic Ventures, a consortium comprised of UK Athletics, London Marathon Events, and the Great Run Company. The group contends that without swift governmental commitment, the UK risks missing out on its chance to stage one of the world’s most prestigious sporting competitions.
Hugh Brasher, event director for the London Marathon and a co-founder of Athletic Ventures, stressed the significant economic and social benefits the World Championships could bring. “This is the moment to deliver something extraordinary,” said Brasher. “We believe London 2029 is not a risk; it represents a true return on investment for the UK. With government support in 2028, we will deliver the greatest World Championships yet: commercially robust, community powered, and globally resonant. It is forecast to inject over £400 million into the economy and communities across the country.”
Recent successes in British athletics underscore the growing appetite for the sport. Team GB celebrated their strongest Olympic medal haul in athletics for 40 years at the Paris 2024 Games. Additionally, London’s Diamond League event has ascended to become the largest globally, recently selling out in record time. The sport continues to flourish at the grassroots level, with a record 1.1 million applications for entries to next year’s London Marathon.
Despite these successes, major international sporting events returning to the UK have become increasingly rare. Dame Katherine Grainger, outgoing chair of UK Sport, recently expressed frustration at the lack of new opportunities, referencing the lasting legacy ambitions of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. “When it comes to ‘mega-events’, after 2028 we’ve got nothing secure,” she remarked, noting the recent confirmation that the Tour de France’s Grand Départ will begin in Britain in 2027, and the UK and Ireland will host the men’s UEFA European Championship in 2028.
The timing of London’s bid is therefore particularly significant, both for sport and for the capital itself. Mayor Sadiq Khan has made no secret of his desire for London to become the world’s leading city for major sporting fixtures. Many believe that successfully hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships could serve as a springboard for bringing the Olympics back to London in the future.
London previously hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2017. That edition is widely viewed as the benchmark for the event, with over 700,000 tickets sold and strong commercial returns. Organisers are eager to replicate this success and further elevate Britain’s reputation as a premier host of global sport.
Jack Buckner, chief executive of UK Athletics, emphasised the sincerity and substance behind the current bid. “This is a bid rooted in credibility and ambition. Our greatest athletes, from past and present, are unified in sending this message, and it should not go unheard. With London 2029, we have the chance to deliver a World Championships that lifts the nation, inspires the next generation, and showcases Britain at its very best. Now, we need the Government to stand with us.”
As the 2029 bid process got underway this summer, the onus is now on ministers to respond to the athletes’ high-profile appeal. Stakeholders from across the sporting spectrum await the government’s verdict, aware that the stakes are more than just medals – they are about legacy, opportunity, and Britain’s place on the world sporting stage.