Inspiration Programme to oversee the ongoing projects, benefits and opportunities afforded by the hosting of the 2017 World Championships

Former Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has been confirmed as chair for the London 2017 World Athletics "Inspiration Programme".

The Inspiration Programme is to oversee the ongoing projects, benefits and opportunities afforded by the hosting of the 2017 World Championships. Jowell, who is stepping down as a Labour MP at the forthcoming election, played a key role in assisting the 2017 bid team to secure the future of athletics at the Olympic stadium and thus the championships themselves.

"It is a real honour to chair the London 2017 World Athletics Inspiration Programme," said Jowell. "UK Athletics have already had great success in creating a strong legacy from London 2012.

"The opportunity is now there to go even further and look at all the different ways to inspire people through hosting the World Athletics Championships in 2017.  I am passionate about using the power of sport to change lives for the better and look forward to working with the team over the next two years."

Ed Warner, chair of UK Athletics, commented: "We are delighted to have secured Tessa’s time and energy towards the World Championships, as chair of our London 2017 World Athletics Inspiration Programme.

"The summer of 2017 will clearly inspire people onwards to athletic endeavour in London, across the UK and worldwide. It is vital that our work in capitalising on this inspiration be led by someone of Tessa's standing and experience of the wide impact of great sporting events."