Carmelita Jeter And Vivian Cheruiyot Go The Distance For London

Two More World Champions Unveiled as Official Ambassadors for London's 2017 World Championships Bid

LONDON, November 4 2011: 100m World Champion Carmelita Jeter and Vivian Cheruiyot, the 5000m, 10,000m and Cross Country World Champion, have today been unveiled as official ambassadors for London's bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships.

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."

The London 2017 bid, has been put together by UK Athletics, DCMS, the Mayor of London, London & Partners and UK Sport.

For more information, contact: james.mckeown@pitch.co.uk

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