WRITTEN FOR THE LONDON 2017 WEBSITE ON BEHALF OF BRITISH ATHLETICS

The milestone of 1,000 days to go until the start of the London 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships will be reached on Monday the tenth of November, as the capital and Britain’s finest track and field athletes prepare for the sixteenth edition of the global championships.

The biennial event – which will begin on the fifth of August, 2017 and last until the 13th of the month – was awarded to London in Monaco on the 11th of November in 2011 following a nine-week campaign led by bid president and London 2012 chairman, Lord Sebastian Coe.

Following the outstanding success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships will be held in the same Stratford stadium in East London.

Meanwhile in July 2017, London will also host the eighth edition of the IPC World Athletics Championships, thus for the first time in history, the sport will see both the IAAF and IPC World Athletics Championships held in both the same city in the same year.

The double whammy of London 2017 spectaculars will therefore act as a huge celebration of athletics, featuring the world’s biggest Olympic and Paralympic stars, and with 1.9 million fans having applied for tickets at London 2012, the appetite for world-class athletics is huge in the UK.

World 400m champion and London Olympic silver medallist, Christine Ohuruogu from nearby Newham revealed:

“I remember clearly when it was a 1,000 days to London 2012 – it’s crazy how time passes so quickly!

“It will arrive sooner than you think and 1,000 days is a good reminder to make sure that you are doing the best work you can today to make tomorrow that bit better.”

European 100m champion and London Olympic semi-finalist, James Dasaolu explained:

“I can’t wait for the 2017 World Champs. London 2012 was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in a home Olympics, so to be given another chance to compete on home soil at a major championships is going to be incredible.”

European 400m champion and London Olympic semi-finalist, Martyn Rooney agreed:

“The London 2017 Champs offers athletes the opportunity to compete at one of the best athletics stadiums in the world whilst competing on the highest stage!

“I’m excited for the chance to make up for 2012 and make the podium!”

Fifth in the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow, 110m hurdler Will Sharman continued:

“By having the World Championships in London in 2017, it will be like re-living the Olympics. All eyes will be watching and the support that we will get will be massive.

“It’s a big three years of athletics with the third year being on home soil.”

Meanwhile, 21-year-old world heptathlon fifth placer and London Olympian, Katarina Johnson-Thompson hopes to be at her physical peak in 2017:

“I can’t believe it’s only 1,000 days until the World Athletics Championships will be in London – I know it’s going to come around so quickly with the way that time is whizzing by.

“I’m so excited that another major championships is going to be taking place on home soil and, all being well, it will be great to be back in the Olympic stadium again and performing in front of a home crowd.

“London 2012 was an amazing experience – my first major championships and it would be amazing to compete there again against the world’s best.”

Another young athlete hoping to make their mark in London is 18-year-old world junior 100m champion and world 4x100m relay bronze medallist, Dina Asher-Smith from South London:

“Having your home city host a major champs isn’t common, so for London to host two in five years is truly special.

“The atmosphere will be amazing, hopefully a lot like 2012, and that motivates me to be there – just to have the chance to perform in front of a home crowd and to make them proud would be unforgettable.”

Despite the July 2017 competition dates yet to be announced, Aled Davies and Libby Clegg are excited for the IPC World Athletics Championships:

Davies, the Paralympic F42 discus champion and IPC World Championships shot and discus gold medallist explained:

“2017 will be a real game changer – showcasing the best para athletes alongside able bodied athletes, blurring the line of division and taking a massive step towards equality.”
Paralympic T12 100m and IPC World Championships 100m and 200m silver medallist, Clegg continued:

“I have had the pleasure of competing at both London 2012 & Glasgow 2014 (for the Commonwealth Games), so I know how special a home Games is.

“As an athlete, you have to take each year as it comes as I have the World Championships in Doha in 2015 and the Paralympics in Rio 2016.

“However, when London 2017 comes around, it is going to be a very special event for all home athletes involved.”