Athletics: British Government scrap World Championship plans

The British Government have scrapped plans to hold the 2005 World Athletics Championships in London.

Proposals for a new athletics stadium to the host the event at Picketts Lock have been rejected on grounds of cost and the timescale involved for transport improvements.

UK Ministers now want to stage the championships in Sheffield, at a revamped Don Valley Stadium, but face a difficult task persuading leaders of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) to do so at a meeting on Friday.

The IAAF have indicated that London is the only British city acceptable and have previously said they will re-open the bidding process to other potential host cities around the world.

The World Championships are ranked as the third biggest sporting event after the Olympics and football's World Cup.

This decision could also have ended hopes by the British Olympic Association to bid for the 2012 Olympics.