London has officially confirmed its bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. The British capital aims to return to hosting the sport’s premier event twelve years after the successful 2017 World Championships and will compete with Rome, Munich and Nairobi to secure the bid.
According to The Guardian, the bid has been able to move forward after reaching an agreement with West Ham to resolve scheduling issues arising from the use of the London Stadium, where the events would be held. The pact will allow the Premier League season to start while the championship is staged, which is scheduled for September.
The project has the backing of UK Athletics, London Marathon Events, the City of London, and the British government. Its backers estimate that hosting the World Championships would generate an economic and social impact exceeding £400 million, in addition to reinforcing the city’s Olympic legacy.
World Athletics will announce the host of the 2029 World Championships next September, once the Ultimate Championships in Budapest are concluded. London enters as one of the frontrunners thanks to the organizational experience demonstrated in 2017, though it will have to beat the competition from Rome, Munich and Nairobi.