2015 event would be 'fantastic' for London

Holding the 2015 World Athletics Championships in London would be a "fantastic legacy" for the Olympic Stadium, according to UK Athletics. The International Association of Athletics Federations announced on Monday London had entered the bidding to host the event, along with Beijing and the Polish city of Chorzow.

"It will be a fantastic legacy for the stadium in London three years after the Olympic Games," a UKA spokesman said. The IAAF have received letters of intent from the three cities in the running.

UKA will make a "big presentation" in September to the IAAF, who will make a decision at their council meeting in November. "We have shown that we can put on brilliant athletics events with the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace and the British Grand Prix in Gateshead," the spokesman added. "The IAAF ranked the indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham as the best one around. With 2012 coming up we are confident we can put on a great event."

London organising committee (LOCOG) chairman Sebastian Coe, who is also an IAAF vice-president, could play an an influential role in helping to bring the championships to British soil for the first time.

The London Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the showpiece in what could be a golden decade for sport in the UK. Golf's Ryder Cup will be in South Wales this year while, in 2013, the Rugby League World Cup will be hosted here. In 2014 Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games and Gleneagles the Ryder Cup. The Rugby Union World Cup arrives in 2015, while the football version could follow in 2018 if England's bid succeeds.