Russian Athletics Stars Unveiled as Ambassadors for London's 2017 Bid

Three of Russia’s greatest current athletes have today been unveiled as ambassadors for London’s bid to host the 2017 World Athletic Championships.

Heptathlon World Champion Tatyana Chernova, 800m World Champion Mariya Savinova and high jumper Aleksey Dmitrik, who won silver at the 2011 World Championships, are the latest athletes to voice their support for London. Other athletes backing London’s bid include Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele, Fabiana Murer, Jesse Williams, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis.

Tatyana Chernova will also work alongside former British heptathlete Denise Lewis on the London 2017 Athlete Commission. The Athlete Commission, chaired by Lewis, is a key part of London’s bid as it enables athletes to offer their insight and provide input to the bid presentation.

Tatyana Chernova said: "I am a strong supporter of London’s bid for the 2017 World Championships for many reasons. For me, competing over two days means that conditions are very important for performance and London offers an ideal climate in August. Winning a gold medal at this year’s World Championships was unbelievable and with fans like those in London, who appreciate a great performance from athletes from all over the world, the World Championships could be so special in 2017. I know that London is the athlete’s choice - they are great hosts of athletics events so I give my full support to their bid."

Aleksey Dmitrik said: "Winning a silver medal this year was the best moment in my career and I think that it’s important to host the World Championships in a city that has great athletics tradition and really cares about the sport like London does. Everyone is really excited about competing in the brand new Olympic Stadium next year and London in 2017 would give our sport’s big European fan base a chance to see the World Championships there and experience a wonderful global city. Whether I am there as a fan or an athlete, I would really like to see the world’s best competing in London in 2017."

Mariya Savinova said: "I have had great experiences competing and winning in London. As an athlete I want to compete in a stadium packed full of a cheering crowd and London always delivers that electrifying atmosphere. I am already looking forward to next year’s Olympic Games and it would be amazing to be able to return to compete in the Olympic stadium in 2017."

Ed Warner , Chairman of UKA said: "'The continued support for London 2017 from some of the world's greatest athletes is fantastic. The addition of Tatyna, Mariya and Aleksey to the line up of London 2017 ambassadors demonstrates that London is the athletes’ choice.

Russia is of course the next host of the IAAF World Championships and should we win the bid to host London 2017, we will look to draw upon the experiences of these athletes as well as our colleagues in the LOC there."

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: Alexandra.dallas@pitch.co.uk

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