London Latest: No Bid for 2015 Athletics, 2017 Sure Thing

Olympic Stadium Uncertainty Dooms World Athletics Bid

London has withdrawn from the running to host the 2015 World Athletics Championships because of uncertainty over the future of the 2012 Olympics Stadium, but has committed to a 2017 bid "free from uncertainties."

The withdrawal came an hour after a media briefing at the British Olympic Association headquarters in London at which Sports Minister Hugh Robertson had given journalists mixed messages about his government’s commitment to the bid.

He admitted that the process over deciding the fate of the Olympic Stadium – which is expected to be decided in March next year – meant that the government was vulnerable to legal challenge if it was seen to "prejudge" the outcome of that contest by bidding for the world championships.

"Should we wish to bid for it we can provide the guarantees. The problem is the process," he said.

Robertson went on to explain that if the government was seen to favor the use of the stadium for athletics in 2015 it could be construed as bias against some of those parties bidding for the 99 year lease on the stadium. Interested parties include West Ham United Football Club and a partnership between Tottenham Hotspur and AEG.

"We can’t prejudge the outcome of the legacy process," Robertson said.

But a split with UK Athletics was clearly obvious.

When asked in view of such uncertainty why UK Athletics Chairman Ed Warner was travelling to Monte Carlo for the decision day on November 20, Robertson replied "That’s news to me."

Within an hour of the briefing ending, UK Athletics had issued a joint statement with Robertson, committing itself to a bid "free of uncertainties" for 2017 and withdrawing from 2015.

"Obviously we are disappointed not to be pursuing our 2015 bid especially after securing the support of both the government and the Mayor of London. However, we need to present the IAAF with a bid that is free of any uncertainties," said Warner

"That is not something we can commit to until the process regarding the future of the Stadium which we fully support, is concluded.

"Our bid is, in my option, an excellent one and one that can deliver an outstanding championships for the IAAF. That fact remains."

"The deadline for the 2015 bid falls before the conclusion of the stadium process in spring 2011, but that does not diminish our appetite to host the event," said Robertson.

"The UK government and UKA remain keen and committed to a bid as soon as we are able."

The withdrawal of London clears the way for Beijing to hosy the 2015 world championships.

BOA Funding Cycle Agreed

The messy withdrawal from the World Championship bid process overshadowed the meeting of the British National Olympic Committee in London, at which the BOA’s funding cycle was agreed until the Rio de Janeiro games.

Although there will be a drop off of 2012 funding levels, combined national lottery and government funding will stay at 2010 levels of $179 million for the cycle leading up to the 2016 games.

Robertson said that it would ensure there was "no Australian cliff" – a reference to the drop in elite funding after Australia hosted the 2000 games. He suggested that there would be more government money in time for Rio as it was "unlikely that the exchequer will be that stretched then."

The sports minister broke with protocol and attacked the previous government, insisting that the current coalition was more committed to British athletes than its predecessors had been.

"Elite spending would be considerably worse off under the previous government," said Robertson.

"It is great news on funding in very difficult economic circumstances," said BOA chairman, Colin Moynihan.

"There are no financial reasons for our athletes not competing at the highest possible level."

Moynihan said that the NOC meeting had received presentations from ODA chairman John Armitt, Legacy Company Chairman Baroness Ford, and Paul Williamson, LOCOG’s head of ticketing.

Written and reported in London by James Corbett.