UKA’s Chairman Ed Warner outlines how the UK’s 1.9 million athletics fans can help to break records, filing the stadium, promising large TV audiences and maximum commercial revenues for the development of the sport.  

“I am part of an athletics club. A member of a quite brilliant group of people that numbers 1.9 million. We are an unprecedented club that has broken records and defied expectation. We do not run together and nor have we met, but we have competed again each other. Our club badge? That of London 2012. Our membership? Application for tickets to see the world’s greatest athletes compete in the Olympic Stadium in 2012.

“I am proud to be part of this club because I count myself as an athletics fan and the sheer demand for tickets to see the athletics in London next year tells me I am not alone. Indeed it confirms my long held believe that the UK is a nation of athletics fans. But it is not only gut instinct telling me that. Every year UK Sport carries out research that positions athletics as second only to football in the hearts and minds of the British public.

“This is why it is so important to me to not only bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships, but also to win the votes that will bring one of the greatest sporting events to our capital city.

“The British public love athletics, they know athletics and they come to watch athletics. Every year 30,000 fans turn up to the Aviva London Grand Prix and the reception athletes from around the world get there is quite exceptional. There are flags from across the world as befitting such a cosmopolitan city as London.

“There is no doubt London 2012 will take athletics in the UK to a new level, our bid to host the 2017 World Championships builds on that. It brings to life the global athletics legacy promised in the London bid by placing the Olympic Stadium at its heart.

“The Olympic Stadium has been the subject of much debate and indeed uncertainty. But that is now behind us and we have full commitment to a track and athletics legacy in the Olympic Stadium. That will not change and that is why we can bid to host London 2017 with confidence and the full backing of the British Government.

“What better way to celebrate the fifth anniversary of 2012 with one of the world’s greatest sporting events coming to the Olympic Stadium.

“Over the coming weeks we will be working with our bid coalition that includes UKA, UK Sport, Government, The Mayor of London and London and Partners to deliver an outstanding technical bid. This newsletter will keep you abreast of that bid and our plans to make London the best ever World Athletics Championships should we be entrusted with delivering it.

“What I can tell you now is that London 2017 is ready and we’re ready to break records both on and off the track. On the track we offer the athletes an outstanding facility in an iconic venue with the chance of the best possible performances. Off the track we’re ready to break records too; with full stadium, large TV audiences and maximum commercial revenues for the development of our sport.

“London 2017 is ready to break records, join us for the journey.”