British celebs backing London 2017

British greats of culture, media and sport have all come together to throw their weight behind #FillTheStadium with just over a week to go until the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017 kicks off the Summer of World Athletics.

Actress Dame Barbara Windsor lead an extensive list of the great and good of Britain who are supporting the World Para Athletics Championships, which start at the London Stadium on 14 July.

Olympic champions Linford Christie and Helen Glover, former World Record holder and Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson and badminton Olympic medallist Gail Emms, TV presenters Gabby Logan and Alex Brooker, England footballer Jermaine Jenas and six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir are all backing #FillTheStadium.

Organisers are already celebrating record sales with more than 230,000 tickets sold – bigger than all of the previous eight editions of the World Para Athletics Championships combined and the biggest ever crowd for any Para sport world championship outside of a Paralympic Games.

Helen Glover said: “To get athletics back in London again is really exciting. There is no bigger stadium than a home event for the Para athletes. I have met a lot of them and I have a huge amount of respect for what they do and how much they train. To be able to watch them competing at home will be really special. I know firsthand what a home crowd can do for your performance so anybody who is thinking about getting down and watching either the World Para Athletics Championships or World Athletics Championships, please do because our athletes need you to be there cheering and supporting. They will enjoy it just as much as you do if you are there cheering for them.”

Gail Emms said: “London 2012 was an experience that I will never ever forget. Obviously, I am a little bit biased being an Olympian but it was so amazing seeing a home nation get behind their athletes. It was really emotional for me actually watching all the people around the Olympic Park with the Union flags and so excited to be a part of something so special. I am a big believer of continuing that momentum, the passion and the support that London 2012 gave to so many athletes. To know that there is going to be a World Para Athletics Championships and a World Athletics Championships at that venue, I can’t wait to bring that emotion, that enthusiasm, that passion back to the Olympic Park.”