Keely Hodgkinson has poked fun at Premier League side West Ham by claiming Great Britain will win more medals at the London Stadium than the Hammers have “in their entire history” if the 2029 World Athletics Championships are held in the English capital.
Last year the UK Government confirmed its support for London’s bid to host the event for the first time since 2017, with ministers also backing a bid for the World Para Athletics Championships.
If successful, the bid would see the championships return to West Ham’s London Stadium although, according to reports, the Premier League side have not yet agreed to allow the venue to be used.
Earlier this month, the Hammers told the Daily Mail, external they have a “contractual right ensuring West Ham United games take priority during the football season”. Sport has contacted West Ham for comment.
World Athletics usually stages the championships in either August or September, which would typically clash with English football’s fixture schedule.
Replying to a post on X speculating that West Ham’s alleged stance could scupper London’s bid, Olympic 800m champion Hodgkinson saw the funny side.
“The GB team will bring back more medals to that stadium than West Ham have seen in their entire history,” Hodgkinson said.
Hodgkinson, who supports Manchester United, claimed her first World Indoor Championships 800m title in commanding fashion in Poland last week.
West Ham have won nine major trophies in their history, including three FA Cup titles and the 2022-23 Uefa Conference League.
They have had an underwhelming campaign this season with the club in the Premier League relegation zone, one point from safety.
The 62,500-capacity London Stadium was built for the 2012 London Olympics and is owned by London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).
West Ham left their former ground Upton Park in 2016 to move to the London Stadium and pay LLDC £2.5m annually as part of a 99-year lease for the ground.
The stadium has continued to host athletics events since West Ham’s move, including the 2017 World Athletics Championships and Diamond League meets.
