London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships is gaining momentum, fueled by strong government backing and enthusiasm from British athletes. The United Kingdom government has pledged £45 million in funding to support the effort to bring the event back to Stratford, where London previously hosted the championships in 2017.

Among the cities competing to host the championships are Rome, Munich, and Nairobi, making for a highly contested selection process. British athletes and officials are optimistic about the prospects, pointing to the passionate fan base and recent successful competitions as key advantages.

Amber Anning, the 25-year-old 400 metres world indoor champion, emphasized the significance of home crowd support, citing her experience at the World Championships in London. She recalled the atmosphere during Mo Farah’s final lap in the 10,000 metres race, describing the roar of the audience as overwhelmingly electric. Anning expressed confidence that the European Athletics Championships held recently in Birmingham would help demonstrate the country’s capability to host major international events.

“British fans are known worldwide for their enthusiasm,” Anning said. “We are ready to use that home crowd advantage to be successful. The timing is great, and we hope to secure the 2029 event.” She added that the European Championships marked the beginning of efforts to build momentum and performance levels that could strengthen London’s bid.

The government’s financial commitment and the country’s track record in athletics are seen as critical factors in the bid’s potential success. The decision on the host city is expected following evaluations of all candidate locations and their proposed plans for the championships.