An Open Letter from British Athletes: Let’s Bring the World Athletics Championships Home

This is the letter we just posted a release on. In the UK, 108 British athletes, former and current signed a letter to the Prime Minister requesting his and the government’s support of the 2029 World Athletics Championships being hosting in London. 

Subject Line: An Open Letter from British Athletes: Let’s Bring the World Athletics

Championships Home

CCD The Chancellor and Secretary of State

Dear Prime Minister,

We write as athletes who have had the honour of representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland on

the world stage. Among us are World, Olympic, European and Commonwealth champions and

medallists. We’ve stood on podiums with pride but there is nothing like competing in front of a home

crowd. For many athletes, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For our country, it’s an opportunity we

must not let pass us by.

That’s why we are calling on the UK Government to back the bid to host the World Athletics

Championships in 2029.

There is no more iconic setting than the London Stadium, the scene of unforgettable moments at the

2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the record-breaking 2017 World Championships. Britain

knows how to put on global events. We do it brilliantly. And when we host, the impact goes far beyond

medals and headlines. It inspires a generation. It generates huge economic and community impact. It

brings the country together in excitement and joy.

We are known and respected across the world as great event organisers. As athletes, we compete on

every continent. And wherever we go, one thing is clear: our fellow competitors talk about British events

with admiration. They want to compete here. They trust the fairness, the atmosphere, the attention to

detail and they know the fans will turn out in force. Competing in front of sell-out crowds is something

the UK uniquely provides. Athletics is a truly global sport, and the UK holds a unique and respected

place within it.

Hosting in 2029 would bring the world’s best athletes back to British soil but more importantly, it would

inspire a new generation to get involved in the most diverse and inclusive sport there is. Some of us

were lucky enough to experience a home crowd at London 2012 and 2017. Some of us volunteered,

others were in the stands. All of us were inspired. That spark set many of us on our journeys, just as it

did for so many thousands of other young people who’ve gone on to join clubs, coach, officiate, or

simply fall in love with athletics.

We know there are tough decisions facing the country. But this isn’t just about sport. It’s about

opportunity, inclusion, wellbeing—and pride. Events like this bring economic benefit, drive tourism, and

showcase Britain at its best. But above all, they leave a legacy that lives on in communities, schools,

and families for years to come.

The window to act is short. A decision to back the bid is needed in the coming weeks. We ask you – our

government – to show your support and help us bring the World Championships home.

We’re ready. We hope you are too.

Signed by:

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Eugene Amo-Dadzie, Amber Anning, Dina Asher-Smith MBE, Jeremiah Azu,

Steve Backley MBE, David Bedford OBE, Roger Black MBE, Tom Bosworth MBE, Joe Brier, Darren

Campbell MBE, Taylor Campbell, Alastair Chalmers, Melissa Courtney-Bryant, Steve Cram CBE,

Linford Christie OBE, Lynn Davies CBE, Charlie Dobson, Eilidh Doyle, Jonathan Edwards CBE, Hannah

England, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Mo Farah, Jacob Fincham-Dukes, Innes FitzGerald, Sir Brendan

Foster, Jason Gardener MBE, Phoebe Gill, Neil Gourley, Robbie Grabarz, Dai Greene, Sally Gunnell

OBE, Toby Harries, David Hemery CBE, Louie Hinchliffe, Sophie Hitchon, Keely Hodgkinson MBE,Dame Kelly Holmes, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Zharnel Hughes, Georgia Hunter Bell, Tim Hutchings,

Colin Jackson CBE, Katarina Johnson-Thompson MBE, Hannah Kelly, Josh Kerr, Richard Kilty, Morgan

Lake, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Dame Denise Lewis, Mark Lewis-Francis MBE, Scott Lincoln, Christian

Malcolm, Eamonn Martin, Jenny Meadows, Kissiwaa Mensah, Eilish McColgan, Liz McColgan MBE,

Katharine Merry, George Mills, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, David Moorcroft OBE, Laura Muir, Ashleigh

Nelson, Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen, Daryll Neita, Jade O’Dowda, Christine Ohuruogu MBE, Victoria

Ohuruogu, Lawrence Okoye, Anyika Onuora, Alan Pascoe MBE, Ben Pattison, Jo Pavey MBE, Asha

Philip, Andrew Pozzi, Reece Prescod, Charlotte Purdue, Paula Radcliffe MBE, Sam Reardon, Jemma

Reekie, Michael Rimmer, Martyn Rooney, Greg Rutherford MBE, Tessa Sanderson CBE, Goldie

Sayers, Wendy Sly MBE, Katie Snowden, Kelly Sotherton MBE, Andrew Steele, Danny Talbot, Iwan

Thomas MBE, Chris Thompson, Daley Thompson CBE, Andy Turner, Laura Turner-Alleyne, Steph

Twell, Lorraine Ugen, Laura Weightman, and Jake Wightman. (108)