London has submitted its bid for the 2029 World Athletics Championships after resolving a stadium access dispute with West Ham, potentially driving over £400m in economic and social benefits.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland's mixed 4x400m team won bronze at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana, finishing in 3:08.24 behind USA and Jamaica. The quartet of Alex Haydock-Wilson, Lina Nielsen, Jake Minshull and Yemi Mary John qualified for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest. Four other GB teams also secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland's mixed 4x400m team won bronze at the World Athletics Relays in Botswana, finishing in 3:08.24 behind USA and Jamaica. The podium finish secures qualification for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September. Four other GB teams - men's 4x100m, women's 4x400m, mixed 4x100m and women's 4x100m - also qualified automatically for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
Hugh Brasher, director of the London Marathon and part of the London 2029 bid team, has urged West Ham to show more "heart and soul" and open their stadium for the World Athletics Championships. London is the favourite to host but faces a major obstacle as West Ham refuse to give up the London Stadium for around two weeks in September 2029 due to the football season being underway. The situation is complicated by the club's potential relegation and the departure of vice chair Karren Brady. Rome, Munich, Nairobi and an Indian city are also in contention, with bids due in early August and a decision in September.
