Warner Toys With London 2019 ParaAthletics Bid

Ed Warner, co-chair of London 2017, has called for political and public support to back athlete pleas to bid to host the event at London Stadium in 2019.

Warner addressed the media to reflect on a ‘joyous’ 10 days of competition while appearing to commit to bidding to re-stage the event in two years time.

The former UK Athletics Chairman will seek to move quickly to produce a bid as host cities face an early September deadline to make their interest known through a formal process of application.

“The BPA and UKA are both extremely keen to bid for 2019,” said Warner.

“I've got really enthusiastic interest from the partners we'd need involved and Newham are extremely enthusiastic. We need to get the politicians on side and that's our job over the next month. The onus is on UKA and BPA to bring a range of parties together. If we can get everyone in the room and looking each other in the eye then it could happen. Because this stadium exists, because this warm-up track exists, because we have great hotels nearby.

“You'd have to have a heart of ice not to want to do it here again. Sometimes in life, if you've got a tight deadline, you find a way to get it done. I would hope that everything from the mayor to central government will get it having seen it.

“These championships have been an advert for another bid. We've done it once and we've got the playbook. It's absolutely doable. London is the only UK city in which we'd do this because here you have the world's greatest athletics stadium and a great diverse city.

“The world meets in Stratford thanks to the Olympics and Paralympics of 2012. If we took it anywhere else in the UK, you could knock a nought off the crowds. People just want to come to London Stadium.”

The IPC Vice President welcomed the prospect of a London bid given the track record of the city and venue in delivering world class meetings.

“London has raised the bar and the bidding cities know what they have to do,” said Parsons. 

“London has a track record and don't know what the other cities can deliver. London has an advantage. They have experience and we are very positive about that.”

"From start to finish, the championships have been a true celebration of diversity, both on and off the field of play," added Linda Lennon, CEO of London Stadium 185.

"The past ten days we’ve seen what feels like a highlights reel of astonishing on-field performances, married with a showcase of London Stadium as a venue at its very best.

"I wish to thank the IPC, the local organising committee, the staff, volunteers, athletes and the ticket holders for the part they have played in making these championships so successful."

 

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