The research, carried out by London 2012 sponsor Nielsen, also claimed that 91 per cent of those questioned claimed that they favoured the capital hosting the World Championships for the first time.

The race to host the Championships is beginning to gather pace ahead of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) vote in Monte Carlo on Friday (November 11), where London face Doha.

London are the favourites but are refusing to rest on their laurels, today even also re-releasing details of a survey first published more than six months ago to back up their claims that they should be awarded the Championships.

The report, Global Major Events – 2012 & Beyond Survey, was commissioned last year and first published on April 5.

The poll, carried out by SMG Sports Marketing and You Gov on behalf of Londond & Partners, one of the stakeholders in the 2017 bid, survey claims to have polled "sports fans around the world".

But of the 4,684 people polled, only a handful came from outside Britain, in the United States, Germany and China.

The survey placed London ahead of 14 cities, including Doha, who came bottom with only five per cent of the vote.

Despite the fact it was more than half-a-year old, UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos hailed the results of the survey.

"This is a massive show of support for a World Championships in London from sports fans across Britain and the world," he said.

"We expect to fill the Olympic Stadium for every single session morning and evening and this survey of 2012 ticket holders validates our belief that we can do this.

"If we are given the honour of hosting the World Athletics Championships in London the athletes competing in the Olympic Stadium will do so in front of a full, passionate and knowledgeable crowd.

"A full stadium for every session in an iconic venue such as London's Olympic Stadium will provide the world's media with an incredible backdrop to the on track drama."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
November 2011: London bid for 2017 World Championships "head and shoulders" above Doha claims UK Athletics chief
November 2011: London 2017 launch scheme to help get two million children involved in athletics
October 2011: Exclusive - England 2018 World Cup bid has taught me to take nothing for granted, admits Sports Minister
October 2011: London 2017 bid receives major boost from global sponsorship community
October 2011: Doha and London add more star names to supporters clubs