Powerbrokers behind London’s bid to stage the 2029 World Athletics Championships are pushing ahead with their plans despite failing to resolve a tense stand-off with West Ham United over the use of the former Olympic stadium.
Daily Mail Sport understands the government-backed proposal for the event will be formally submitted on Thursday evening, ahead of the April 3 deadline imposed by World Athletics.
However, as we previously revealed, West Ham are trenchantly opposed to the central strand of a project that would necessitate them vacating the London Stadium for roughly three weeks in September 2029.
Multiple sources have indicated that senior Downing Street figures and the London Mayor’s office have been involved in attempts to resolve the impasse, but the club’s position has not softened amid fears they would be placed at a competitive disadvantage by playing a succession of away fixtures.
Daily Mail Sport has learned that West Ham contacted the Premier League, EFL and UEFA in recent weeks to ascertain the feasibility of an altered schedule. But sources say they are yet to receive guarantees around the situation and are currently unwilling to relent, citing that they have ‘priority’ use of the stadium under the terms of their lease from Greater London Authority Holdings Limited.
The perceived vagaries of that contract have frequently been disputed by West Ham and their landlords during a fraught 10-year relationship, during which time athletics has only been hosted in summer months. However, no athletics event has been floated for mid-season before now and senior figures at the club are adamant they have a legal right to defend their territory.
Powerbrokers will continue with their plans to host the World Athletics Championships at the London Stadium despite opposition from West Ham
That leaves the London bid in a tricky spot. There will be scope within their proposal to stage the event earlier in the summer, but World Athletics have already made it clear their preferred option will be a September meet to bookend the conventional athletics calendar.
Daily Mail Sport understands rival bids are also being put forward by Rome and Munich, as well as Nairobi, so there is a fear among London 2029 insiders that switching away from optimal timings would be detrimental.
In a statement to Daily Mail Sport last month, West Ham said: ‘Any decisions remain subject to the club’s overriding priority clause, a contractual right ensuring West Ham United games take priority during the football season.’
West Ham declined to comment further on Thursday. Aside from government and mayoral interests, with approximately £45million of Treasury funds set aside for the bid, West Ham came under pressure from Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson last month.
Posting on social media, she wrote: ‘The GB team will bring back more medals to that stadium than West Ham have seen in their entire history.’
Internal club estimates suggest the September proposal would require West Ham to play at least three successive away matches, with the possibility of more if they are in the Championship.
