Source:REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, if London successfully bids for the 2029 World Athletics Championships, West Ham United may face a three-week suspension of their home stadium. The UK government pledged £45 million in public funding last week to support the bid plan to use London Stadium as the venue. Unlike the 2017 London World Championships held in August, the World Athletics Federation prefers to hold the 2029 event in September, which will clash with the start of the 2029-30 football season, forcing West Ham to temporarily relocate. Although the championships will last only nine days, the organizing committee needs four days prior to the event to install the athletics track and four days after to restore the stadium. If the event is scheduled during the September international match window, the impact on West Ham will be minimized, but the club may still face consecutive Premier League away games and potential adjustments to European competitions. Jack Buckner, CEO of the British Athletic Association, admitted that discussions with West Ham will take place before the official bid submission in the summer. A spokesperson for London Stadium said: “The 2017 sold-out World Championships generated over £100 million in economic benefits, and we are willing to coordinate fully with stakeholders like West Ham.”