Sebastian Coe has warned that West Ham United's refusal to vacate the London Stadium in September could scupper the city's bid for the 2029 World Athletics Championships. World Athletics has made clear that the championships should serve as the season's grand finale.
West Ham, which leases the stadium, has a contractual right prioritising football during the season and has shown no willingness to accommodate a three-week window for athletics. The club secured the stadium after the 2012 Olympics at a heavily subsidised cost.
Coe, a former Olympic champion and current World Athletics president, said he must remain neutral as other bids exist, but stressed the event is the third-largest sporting gathering after the Olympics and World Cup. He called on cities to accommodate the championships.
The London bid has government and mayoral backing, but track and field circles fear West Ham is effectively holding the bid to ransom. Coe declined to speculate on moving the championships earlier in the summer, citing a clear policy to have them conclude the season.
Bid deadlines are 3 April for initial submissions and 5 August for final ones, with winning cities announced in September. Other interested bidders include Rome, Munich, Nairobi, and an Indian city.
