The British Government today scrapped plans to hold the 2005 World Athletics Championships in London. Proposals for a new athletics stadium to the host the event at Picketts Lock in the north-east of the capital have been rejected on grounds of cost and the time-scale involved for transport improvements.
Ministers now want to stage the championships in Sheffield, at a revamped Don Valley Stadium, but face a difficult task persuading leaders of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) to do so at a meeting tomorrow.
The IAAF have indicated that London is the only British city acceptable and have previously said they will re-open the bidding process to other potential host cities around the world. The World Championships are ranked as the third biggest sporting event after the Olympics and football's World Cup. The decision may also have ended hopes by the British Olympic Association to bid for the 2012 Olympics.
Filed by Tom Grealis
