The domestic athletics body, thwarted in three previous attempts to host the biennial event through political circumstances, has put forward the capital's case in a letter to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Thus London, supported by the UK Government, is the first city in the running to host the event.

A formal bid is required to be submitted to the IAAF on September 1.

An evaluation visit will take place in October with a bid presentation and decision scheduled for November.

Following the delivery of the letter of intent, UK Athletics is working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London, UK Sport and other agencies to develop the bid and its supporting budget.

UK Athletics Chairman Ed Warner said: "The World Athletics Championships is the greatest sporting event never staged in the UK and we are committed to changing that.

"Athletics is a hugely popular sport in this country and I'm confident we can stage an outstanding championships in front of a sell-out, knowledgeable crowd.

"Athletics is a truly global sport with more than 200 countries competing in the World Championships.

"London is a perfect partner for this event with 270 nations represented by its seven million citizens.

"Every athlete from every country will be supported.

"We are a leading host for major sporting events and we have the experience and expertise to deliver a World Athletics Championships that will make the IAAF proud."

Hugh Robertson, the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, added: "I want this country to host a series of world-class events as a key legacy from London 2012. For those in track and field they don't come more prestigious than the World Athletics Championships.

"There is still work to be done on the stadium legacy and the finances but I am delighted to support UK Athletics and the Mayor in today's expression of interest to the IAAF."

Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: "As the lead agency responsible for co-ordinating the bidding and staging of major sporting events in this country, we are determined to use 2012 as a catalyst to bring even more world class competition to towns and cities across the UK.

"A World Athletics Championships in London would undoubtedly add to this programme of inspirational sporting events and we are delighted to be supporting UK Athletics with this letter of intent to bid for the 2017 event."

In a recent YouGov poll commissioned by Visit London, the World Athletics Championships was voted the most popular sports event for people to attend in London outside of the Olympic Games.

The Championships has the potential to bring an economic boost to the city of £100 million.

UK Athletics has tried on three previous occasions to bring the World Championships to London. Attempts in 2003 and 2005 were undermined by failure to complete the new Wembley stadium on time with an athletics option or go ahead with a planned new stadium in Picketts Lock, north London.

And a planned bid for the 2015 World Championships was deferred by the Government last year.

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