Hodgkinson mocks West Ham as she backs Worlds at London Stadium

Keely Hodgkinson has taken a playful swipe at West Ham United after reports emerged that the Premier League club could block London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

The London Stadium, constructed for the 2012 Olympics and now home to the Hammers, is the proposed centrepiece of the championships, but West Ham are reluctant to surrender the venue for the length of time organisers require.

Hodgkinson, fresh from claiming 800 m gold at the recent World Indoor Championships and already an Olympic gold and silver medallist, highlighted the story on her X account with a pointed jab: “The GB team will bring back more medals to that stadium than West Ham have seen in their entire history.”

Fellow British sprint star Dina Asher-Smith, who struck 200 m gold at the 2017 World Championships and owns three Olympic medals, added her voice on social media. Posting from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, she wrote: “Literally at the Olympic Park today to kickstart something ahead of London 2028/29,” urging the club to back the event.

Since the 2012 Games, the venue has remained a dual-use site, staging anniversary meets and the 2017 World Championships while serving as West Ham’s match-day home. Athletics officials now hope the east-London arena can once again welcome the world, provided club and calendar conflicts can be resolved.