Athletics dispute resolved

Peace has broken out among the warring parties organising next year’s World Athletics Championships in London.

At the start of the year, tension between the International Association of Athletics Federations and UK Athletics put London 2017’s future at risk.

A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said yesterday: “London 2017 has a muchimproved governance structure, with an independent co-chair in place, and the entire organising team are fully focused on putting on an excellent World Championships.”

UKA had been concerned in February that the IAAF brand had become damaged by the sport’s doping scandals, and wanted the international federation to take a less central role in the event’s marketing.

The IAAF was alarmed the organising committee was too closely aligned with UKA, as national governing bodies are not meant to exploit their host status for financial gain.

UKA declined to comment directly on the “historic” row but said relations with the IAAF are fine, the project is on budget and the IAAF’s marketing partner Dentsu is making good progress securing sponsorship deals.

An IAAF spokesman said the federation had been greatly encouraged by last week’s Muller Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium in London.

The 16th World Athletics Championships take place at the Olympic Stadium in London on August 4-13 next year, with tickets going on sale on Monday.