World Champions Jesse Williams And Fabiana Murer Back London 2017 Bid

LONDON, October 13 2011: Newly crowned world champions Jesse Williams, from the USA, and Fabiana Murer, from Brazil, have today been unveiled as official bid ambassadors and members of the Athlete Commission for London's bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Championships.

Both Williams and Murer became world champions for the first time at the recent IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu. Williams leapt 2.35m to secure gold in the men's high jump while Murer cleared 4.85m for victory in the women's pole vault.

As members of the London 2017 Athlete Commission, Williams and Murer will draw on their experience as world-class athletes to provide the bid team with personal insight into optimising all aspects of the athlete experience at a World Championships.

They join two-time Olympic gold medallist and four-time World Champion Haile Gebrselassie on the Athlete Commission, with British Olympic gold medallists Denise Lewis and Jason Gardener as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.

World Champion Jesse Williams said: "I am already excited about competing in London's Olympic Stadium next year and felt a great buzz in the city when I was jumping there this summer. British fans are always great to compete in front of - they appreciate world-class athletes, no matter where they come from. As a newly crowned gold medallist I know how special the IAAF World Championships are and I would love for them to be hosted in a city as passionate about athletics as London."

World Champion Fabiana Murer said: "Winning a gold medal at this year's IAAF World Championships was the highlight of my career so far and I would really like to see the 2017 championships hosted in a city that values athletics like London does. Bringing the world championships back to Europe and to a global city like London in 2017 would be a great way to follow a spectacular Olympic Games in my home country in 2016. I wish London's bid the best of luck."

Ed Warner, UKA Chairman said: "Adding the support of two world champion athletes of the calibre of Jesse Williams and Fabiana Murer to the London 2017 bid is a huge boost for us, and our Athlete Commission will benefit greatly from their expertise. We believe in providing the optimum athlete experience in 2017 and their invaluable advice under Denise Lewis' leadership on the Athlete Commission will continue to ensure that London's bid delivers on that promise."

The London 2017 bid, which has been put together by UK Athletics, DCMS, the Mayor of London, London & Partners and UK Sport, will be looking to secure the votes of the 27 IAAF Council Members before the decision on who will host the Championships is made on November 11th.

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

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