The London 2017 bid was awarded the championships following a nine-week campaign against a rival bid from Doha, Qatar. The IAAF member council voted 16-10 in favour of London to host the championships.

Speaking in response to today’s decision, London 2017 bid President Lord Sebastian Coe said:

“I am delighted and extremely proud that my colleagues on the IAAF Council have entrusted London with the 2017 World Athletics Championships. It will be such an honour to host our sport’s showcase event in the Olympic Stadium and realise a personal and professional dream.

“I would like to pay tribute to my friend and colleague Dahlan Al-Hamad and the Doha bid team who ran a strong campaign. They have continued to innovate and show a passionate love of sport and desire to bring new events and I am sure it won’t be long before they host the World Championships.”

Chair Ed Warner said:

“We are immensely proud that the IAAF Council has voted to award London the right to stage the 2017 World Championships in athletics.

“We have campaigned throughout the bid knowing that we can deliver a superb, record-breaking world championships, and we are delighted that the IAAF has now given us the opportunity to do so.

“This mandate means we can now push on and organise what will be a superb event for London and for athletics globally, putting athletes at its heart.”

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson added:

“I am delighted that London has won the right to host the IAAF 2017 World Athletics Championships. Our bid showed the passion that our nation has for athletics and this will leave a fantastic legacy for the sport. I am sure we will put on a brilliant championships in the Olympic Stadium and the Government looks forward to working with the IAAF, UKA and the Mayor to deliver exactly that.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:

“This is wonderful news for London and hosting the 2017 World Athletics Championships in the Olympic Stadium will bring our long term vision for legacy to life. We are a diverse city where the world athletics family will feel at home and we look forward to welcoming you in 2017.

“This decision serves to reinforce London’s status as a world-class sporting venue now and for the future.”

Simon Morton, Director of Events at UK Sport said:

“This is a superb result for London and the coalition that has come together to deliver the bid. London 2017 was the number one event for us to bring to the UK post 2012 and we’ve achieved that. We have promised to deliver the greatest ever World Championships on behalf of our partners, the IAAF so the hard work must now begin.

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive of London 2017 and UKA

“We are absolutely delighted with the decision to award London the honour of hosting the 2017 World Athletics Championships. We want to repay the faith the IAAF Council has shown in us to ensure the 2017 World Championships are the best they can possibly be. We will learn from our colleagues and the next editions of the championships staged in Moscow in 2013 and Beijing 2015 and take on board their experience in hosting.

“It is a superb decision for the legacy of athletics in the UK and we are delighted that events next in 2012 will go towards inspiring young athletes to amazing performances in 2017.

See below for some of the latest coverage

London face 2017 event bid D-Day

Head to Head: How the bids compare

Backley: London’s on track

Doha is a no-goer: Ed backs London

D-Day for 2017 Bid

London’s 2017 bid billed as now or never

Girl power can bring the world to London

London bid focuses on the bigger picture

Failure is not an option, insists British team

London hopes TV rights value can swing bid

The athletes, from every IAAF region and comprising World and Olympic medalists, have signed letters of support demonstrating their desire to see the 2017 World Championships staged in London.

The full lists of those who have offered their support reads like a who’s who of world athletics. Some of the world’s top current athletes such as Tirunesh Dibaba, Steve Hooker, Tyson Gay and Fabiana Murer have joined a stellar cast of supporters for London 2017.

Former legends such as Edwin Moses, world record holders like Jonathan Edwards and previous world champions including Steve Cram and Sally Gunnell have all stepped in to support London 2017.

They are joined by current day legends such as Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele, and reigning world champions from the UK – Mo Farah and Dai Greene- and overseas in the shape of Carmelita Jeter and Tatyana Chernova.

The three shortlisted women for IAAF Athlete of the Year, Valerie Adams, Vivian Cheruiyot and Sally Pearson have also spoken out in favour of London.

Some of Britain’s brightest young talent has also leapt at the potential opportunity of competing in London’s Olympic Stadium in 2017. 19 year old British record holders and world junior medalists, Holly Bleasdale, Sophie Hitchon and Lawrence Okoye are all 2017 ambassadors.

The London bid has continued to deliver on the pledge to make the 2017 championships an athlete-centred event.

The Athlete Commission, chaired by Denise Lewis, was created to ensure no stone would go unturned in the pursuit of making the event the perfect stage for athletes to go and compete at their very best. A number of the athletes have also volunteered their time to advise and assist the commission.

Bid President Seb Coe said: “I am thrilled that the London 2017 bid has received such wide ranging and high profile support from the world’s athletes.

They are clearly so excited and enthused by the idea of competing in a championships where their needs have been addressed and where they will compete in front of a full passionate crowd. The input from athletes the world over is already starting to help us develop plans for 2017 should we be successful this week, and it is superb to see them declare their support in this way.

Ed Warner, Chair for the London 2017 bid said: “We are so grateful for the letters of support from the athletes the world over, we have a hundred athletes representing a hundred years of athletics.

“It would be superb if we could deliver a 2017 World Championships based on their feedback to the Athlete Commission. Going into the final day of campaigning it is great to hear the voice of the athletes. I very much hope we will get an opportunity to repay them with a superb World Championship experience.”

Athletics stars past, present and future are getting behind London’s bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships including Sir Roger Bannister, Dylan Armstrong and Jodie Williams.

Rumours have been circulating of a compromise deal that would see either London or Doha host the event in 2017 and the other city in 2019. Both parties have moved quickly to quash the speculation, with Seb Coe insisting the battle will go to the wire.

See below for some of the latest coverage.

Coe is counting on backing of ‘friends’

Coe rules out Doha compromise

London won’t take 2019 date

Coe’s campaign puts Olympic legacy at stake in race for 2017

Warner rules out 2019 compromise

Everything is in place – It’s my passion

London banking on youth to win the day

On Friday (November 11) in Monaco the IAAF will decide the host city of the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships.

Jodie Williams, who will speak on behalf of the London bid in Monaco, said: “It is such an honour to be part of the London 2017 delegation. As a young athlete who will be just 23 in 2017 I was right behind the bid from the start – who wouldn’t want to compete for a world title in their home city? But to be part of the team actually speaking to the IAAF Council is fantastic.

“London is undoubtedly the athlete’s choice, I get a little awestruck when I see just how many great names have backed our bid, from Edwin Moses to Carmelita Jeter and of course our own World Champions Mo Farah and Dai Greene. They’re speaking with the voice of experience, they know what it takes to succeed at the highest level and they know London will give us the best opportunity to break records.

“Of course it will be a little nerve-wracking standing in front of the council, but I believe in this bid and that’s what I hope I can show to them.”

Canadian Dylan Armstrong said: “’London 2017 has the support of athletes from around the world and they’ll put on a champs that will be the best for athletes.

‘I love the fact that they’re already getting our thoughts on how to make their bid better and the prospect of taking our sport out to public. The idea of shot put training right next door to Tower Bridge is awesome and the athletes would relish the opportunity to train in such an historic setting up close and personal to the public.”

Sir Roger Bannister commented: “Seeing the best athletes in the world in this country at next year’s Olympic Games will be a real thrill for people of the UK. There is already a great amount of enthusiasm ahead of London 2012 and hosting the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London would be a brilliant way to inspire the next generation of young athletes. Athletics is a great sport both to watch and compete in and it would be good for its future if we were able to build on the excitement generated by the Olympics to keep those youngsters in athletics. Hopefully it will lead to another successful 100 years for the IAAF.”

The trio join an impressive list of international athlete names supporting London’s bid including Olympic legends Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie and American Edwin Moses, American high jump World Champion Jesse Williams and Brazilian World Champion Fabiana Murer.

Current and former British athletes have also shown their support for the London 2017 with Jessica Ennis, Dai Greene, Phillips Idowu, Denise Lewis, Jonathan Edwards and Sally Gunnell all official bid ambassadors.

The London 2017 bid team has also unleashed a secret weapon to line up in the official presentation team in Monaco; the news that IAAF World Junior Champion Jodie Williams – the double European Junior Champion – will talk about what competing in London in 2017 would mean to her, news warmly received and promoted globally.

See below for some of the latest coverage:

Only 2017 will do for London

Jodie will boost bid

Hammers must make way

Warner believes London can beat Quatar prize-money pitch

Can London win in Monte Carlo and trump Quatar’s big cash pitch?

West Ham note 99-year athletic guarantee

Athletics: Sprint star Jodie Williams will be London’s secreat weapon

Williams is backed to clinch victory

London set for free run at 2017 bid

Capital must come first if novel solution is to work

Cameron shows support

Only Britain will make the whole world feel welcome

London refuses possiblity of 2019 consolation prize

The Women in World Athletics programme, which would commence in May 2012 with a funding commitment of over $400,000 from the London 2017 LOC, will identify 50 of the most promising female technical officials and young leaders from across the athletics world in partnership with the IAAF and its Member Federations. 15 of these participants will be subsequently selected to officiate and volunteer at the 2017 World Athletics Championships should London be successful in its bid.

Ed Warner, Chairman of the London bid team and UKA, said: “Currently, too few officials and leaders in the sport are female, but by increasing those numbers and giving them technical skills, support and encouragement to drive development in their own athletics communities, the next generation of athletes will be supported both in competition and in training by a more diverse support network. Not only do technical officials enable countries around the world to develop through hosting international competitions, but also act as leaders, role models and teachers within their own local communities.

“2017 would serve as the ultimate goal for the participants in this programme and we hope that the Women in World Athletics programme will encourage, motivate and inspire more women to progress careers in athletics.”

Each individual will be assigned with an experienced female technical official or young leader from the UK to provide mentoring, support and share knowledge. The programme will co-ordinate exchange visits across the five-year period, in addition to provision of opportunities for participants to be involved in UK Athletics’ annual programme of events.

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, the Canadian 100m hurdler who won bronze at the 2008 Olympics is an official ambassador for London’s bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships and is supporting this initiative.

Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, 100m hurdler and ambassador for London’s 2017 bid said: “Being part of an international athletics event is an incredible experience whether that’s as an athlete, an official or in the crowd. I feel extremely passionate about inspiring more women to get involved in the sport and the Women in World Athletics initiative is an ideal way to motivate more female officials and leaders to learn the skills needed to develop athletics communities across the globe.

“It would be great to see the World Champs in London in 2017. I have competed there many times and always had a fantastic experience, the support there is incredible. It would be a great accomplishment to see the first of the female officials come through the Women in World Athletics programme to participate in the 2017 event in London.”

Jess Ennis, Mo Farah, Dai Greene and Iwan Thomas will be acting as Team Captains for the ‘Great Twitter Relay’ in a bid to get as many people as possible to show their support for London 2017. Over the course of the day, the four captains will be tweeting messages of support and urging their followers to do likewise in order to showcase the passion for the bid in this country ahead of the decision which will take place in Monaco on Friday.

As well as today’s twitter relay fans of the London bid can also join in showing their support for the London 2017 campaign by adding the London 2017 Twibbon by visiting http://twibbon.com/join/London2017-Candidate-City

Ed Warner, UKA Chairman, said:
“Having secured the support of numerous high profile international athletes, including the likes of Denise Lewis, Ed Moses, Carmelita Jeter and Haile Gebrselassie, as well as that of the global business community, we are now looking to showcase the general public’s backing through the Twitter campaign.

“Hopefully, with the help of Jess, Mo, Dai and Iwan, we’ll be able to demonstrate to the IAAF this country’s passion for athletics and show them this is the ideal place to host the Championships in 2017.”

More than 80% of London 2012 athletics ticket holders say they are likely to purchase a ticket to the 2017 World Athletics Championships should it take place in the Olympic Stadium in London according to a recent survey*. An incredible 91% of those questioned said they favoured London hosting the event.

Meanwhile London has also topped another recent poll** of sports fans around the world with the city citied as the destination they were most likely to visit for an event. This placed London at the top of 14 cities including New York, Sydney, Barcelona, Rio, Moscow and Doha.

In the same survey, the World Athletics Championships topped a poll of sports events British fans would most like to see coming to London post 2012, placing the event ahead of international swimming and basketball, road cycling and NFL.

Chief Executive of London 2017 and UKA, Niels de Vos said: “This is a massive show of support for a World Championships in London from sports fans across Britain and the world.

“We expect to fill the Olympic Stadium for every single session morning and evening and this survey of 2012 ticket holders validates our belief that we can do this. If we are given the honour of hosting the World Athletics Championships in London the athletes competing in the Olympic Stadium will do so in front of a full, passionate and knowledgeable crowd.

“A full stadium for every session in an iconic venue such as London’s Olympic Stadium will provide the world’s media with an incredible backdrop to the on track drama.”

*Source: Nielsen, London 2012 Athletics Ticket Holders survey, October 2011. Sample size: 2142
**Source: SMG/ You Gov Global Major Events Survey 2011. Sample size 4684 (UK, USA, Germany, China

The American sprinter and the Kenyan long distance runner are the latest athletes to show their support for London’s bid. Jeter and Cheruiyot join a long list of official ambassadors which includes Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele, Fabiana Murer, Tatyana Chernova, Dai Greene and Jessica Ennis.

Vivian Cheruiyot said: “As a long distance athlete I know that running conditions are so important in allowing us to feel comfortable and perform at our best, so London’s climate is a big advantage for their 2017 World Championships bid. Their commitment to hold the championships in August is also really important for athletes, it’s the right time of the season for us to peak and entertain the fans.

“London is like my second home as I have trained and competed there so many times and there is a great atmosphere around the city – everyone from all around the world feels welcome. I am already very excited about running in the Olympic Stadium next year and I would love to run in the World Championships back there in 2017.”

Carmelita Jeter said: “The World Athletics Championships is such a huge amazing event it’s really important that it is held in a city which has the right climate, passion for and understanding of our sport, which is why I am fully behind London’s bid.

“I know from the times I’ve competed in the city that the fans will certainly welcome all athletes with loud support and encouraging cheers, and the fact that athletes are at the heart of London’s bid means that I know all our needs are being carefully considered. I have no doubt that London will deliver a fantastic World Championships event on every level.”

Ed Warner UKA Chairman said: “Vivian and Carmelita are two of the greatest athletes of our time and it is superb that yet more current World Champions and world class athletes back London’s bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships. We have some incredible names of the past, present and future of athletics behind our bid, all of whom have given their time freely to support us. These athletes know that in London they will compete at the perfect time of the year in front of 60,000 passionate and knowledgeable fans and that is why they are fully behind London 2017.”