APPENDIX 21
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
UK Athletics
Further to the information previously supplied
to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, UK Athletics would
like to update the Committee regarding the current bidding process.
— With the support of the Government
(letter attached from Tony Blair), an application to stage the
2005 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, has today been delivered
to the IAAF headquarters in Monaco.
— This document was based around a
suitable venue in London.
— A working group will now be established
with members from the DCMS (to take the lead), Sport England and
UK Athletics in order that all possible venues may be considered.
— A deadline date of 2 April 2000 has
been set for further information to be presented to the IAAF Council.
By this date we anticipate we will have two options:
(i) To present a full bid based around
the development of Twickenham; and
(ii) To present a bid reflecting that there is
still a degree of uncertainty regarding the venue. However, at
this point we would envisage that only one or two sites were still
being considered. An application on this basis has been accepted
previously by the IAAF, subject to government support.
— As regards other possible bidders
for the World Championships in 2005, UK Athletics believes that
Melbourne may bid, along possibly with Tokyo. These bidders have
not been confirmed by the IAAF. UK Athletics has also heard that
the IAAF strongly favours the London bid. If this rumour is true,
there is a possibility that other bidders may withdraw their bids.
Although UK Athletics would prefer a full bidding process, along
with other cities, this possible opportunity must not be missed.
— In conjunction with and as part of
the debate into the venue for the World Championships, a working
group will also be established to prepare a brief and consider
all potential venues for aNational Athletics Stadium. Issues to
be discussed would include not only facility requirements and
location, but also whether the stadium is an integral part of
the World Championships site and who the appropriate partners
could be. This working group will be established during the next
two months.
— For the World Championships a minimum
stadium capacity of 50,000 would be required (anticipated capacity
for Twickenham 71,594). For a National Athletics Stadium, a maximum
capacity of 25,000 would be required.
Despite the problems associated with athletics
removal from Wembley, UK Athletics is grateful for the support
given by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK Sport
and other agencies in trying to move forward the issue of providing
an appropriate venue for the World Athletics Championships, and
hopefully, securing a legacy for the sport beyond that.
Note: The attached letter from the Prime
Minister is dated January 1999. This was an error as the letter
was written in late January 2000.
January 2000
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