KEELY HODGKINSON doubled down on her attack of West Ham following the London 2029 World Championships bid, saying: Please let athletics have its moment.
Seb Coe has warned London faces missing out on hosting the track-and-field event in three years’ time if the Hammers refuse to move out of their home temporarily for three weeks.
Olympic hero Keely Hodgkinson is desperate for London to host the 2029 World ChampionshipsCredit: AFP
She wants West Ham’s London Stadium to host the track-and-field eventCredit: PA
Prospective bidders are understood to have been told the champs must be staged in September as part of World Athletics president Coe’s drive to create a calendar that makes sense for fans and TV.
But insist their lease for the London Stadium gives them “over-riding priority” during the football season.
Following Coe’s comments about the 2029 bid process, Hodgkinson said in : “The GB team will bring back more medals to that stadium than West Ham have seen in their entire history.”
This caused a huge backlash from Irons fans, who have been watching football at the London Stadium since relocating from Upton Park 2016.
Hodgkinson – the reigning 800 metres Olympic champion – reckons the club should be onside with the bid and give athletes like herself the chance to compete in front of home fans.
A crowd of 60,000 will be present to watch the Diamond League meeting in Stratford on July 18.
Speaking after she won the 800 metres world indoor title last weekend in Poland, Hodgkinson said: “Thoroughly enjoyed the rattled comments under this.
“But in all seriousness, to have a global championships back in London would be incredible for our sport.
Hodgkinson won bronze at the 2025 World Championships in TokyoCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
West Ham don’t want to rearrange home gamesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
“I didn’t think we’d get the opportunity again during my career. The British crowd would fill it everyday.
“Seems silly for London to be taken out of the running, over a football team not compromising on a stadium they pay RENT for when it’s only a few extra away games.
“Everything’s always all about money and never moments. Let us have this moment!!! Pretty please.”
London hosted the athletics’ flagship event in 2017 and it was a huge success with more than 660,000 tickets sold for the .
West Ham declined to comment when approached by SunSport.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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