Munich to host the 2031 World Athletics Championships

World Athletics has awarded Munich the 2031 World Athletics Championships, with the Olympiapark chosen as the venue. It will be the 23rd edition of the championships and the third to be held in Germany, after Stuttgart in 1993 and Berlin in 2009. Athletes from more than 200 member federations are expected to take part.

The Olympiapark has hosted major athletics before, including the European Championships in 2002 and the athletics events of the multi-sport European Championships in 2022. The bid was prepared by Olympiapark München GmbH and the German Athletics Association (DLV), with backing from the federal government, the Free State of Bavaria and the City of Munich.

The organisers plan a compact event that combines elite sport with an arts and culture festival across the park, aiming for a full Olympic Stadium. They say short distances, clear sightlines and large warm-up and training areas will give athletes good conditions, and that the event should also boost grassroots, youth and club sport.

Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, said: "Germany has proven time and again that it is an excellent and reliable host for major athletics events." He described the Olympiapark as "one of the most iconic venues in world sport" and said the 2022 attendance figures showed how much interest there is in major events in the city and across Germany. He added that sustainability would be a central value in planning the championships, in line with the 'Athletics for a Better World' gold event standard.

Ronald Rauhe, Germany's Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering, congratulated Munich, Bavaria and the DLV, saying a home championships would be "the greatest motivation" for young athletes. The Bavarian Minister-President, Dr Markus Söder, welcomed the decision with the words: "Welcome to Munich!"