More than 100 of Britain’s most celebrated athletes have today written to the Prime Minister urging the UK Government to seize the golden opportunity to bring the World Athletics Championships back to London in 2029.
In a powerful open letter published today, Olympic champions, global medallists and rising stars speak with one voice — calling on the Government to back the bid to host the world’s biggest athletics event at the London Stadium. Between them they have won in excess of 750 medals at international championships, more than 300 of them gold.
Among the signatories are many legends of the sport from Sir Mo Farah, Keely Hodgkinson, Dame Kelly Holmes, Jonathan Edwards, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Paula Radcliffe, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Dina Asher-Smith and Daley Thompson — representing generations of excellence, united in their message: this is a once-in-a-generation chance to inspire, unite, and deliver lasting national legacy.
The athletes’ intervention adds further weight to the London 2029 campaign, led by Athletic Ventures, the joint venture between UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company. The bid proposes a world-class Championships at the London Stadium, requiring a one-off injection of public funding in 2028 and promising more than £400 million in national economic impact.
“This is the moment to deliver something extraordinary,” said Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the London Marathon and co-founder of Athletic Ventures. “London 2029 is not a risk; it’s about return on investment for the UK. Generations of athletes know the inspirational power of a home Championships, but this is about more than medals. It’s a vision for what this country can achieve.
“With government support in 2028, we will deliver the greatest World Championships yet: commercially robust, community powered, and globally resonant. It is set to deliver more than £400 million in economic and community impact across the UK. The time to act is now.”
But the athletes warn that without swift government backing, the opportunity may pass. Their open letter reminds Ministers that home events create “once-in-a-lifetime” moments for athletes and fans alike — and leave legacies that “live on in communities, schools, and families for years to come.”
“This is a bid rooted in credibility and ambition,” said Jack Buckner, CEO of UK Athletics and co-founder of Athletic Ventures. “We know what home support can achieve and when our greatest athletes from past and present are unified with one message, their call should not be ignored.
“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. We’re ready. Now we need the Government to stand with us.”
The 2029 bid process is due to commence this summer, with organisers urging Ministers to commit in the coming weeks to secure the Championships for the UK.
The letter is 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 total)
