Athletics Stars Support London 2017 Bid
Athletics stars past, present and future – including Commonwealth Games
gold medallist Sir Roger Bannister, 82, 2010 Commonwealth Games gold
medallist shot putter Dylan Armstrong, 30 and World Junior Championships
100m gold medallist Jodie Williams are – are getting behind London’s
bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships, ahead of
Friday’s decision.??
The move is designed to demonstrate that athletes of all ages are behind London’s bid.
?The IAAF will decide the host city of the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships on Friday in Monaco.
??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
added: ‘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 the 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.
