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The head of the London Marathon has urged West Ham to show more \u201cheart and soul\u201d amid fears they could scupper Britain\u2019s chances of hosting the 2029 World Athletics Championships<\/a>.<\/p>\n While London\u2019s bid is seen as the favourite, it has hit a major stumbling block with West Ham refusing to give up their stadium for around two weeks in September 2029 because the football season will be under way.<\/p>\n Hugh Brasher, who is part of the London 2029 bid team, admitted that the situation was further complicated by the Hammers facing relegation and the departure of the club\u2019s vice chair, Karren Brady.<\/p>\n \u201cFootball is an interesting, very tribal, sport,\u201d said Brasher. \u201cMoney talks. But sometimes people look at their heart, they look at their soul, and that\u2019s the purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n Brasher then cited the words of his father, Chris, when he came up with the idea of the London Marathon<\/a> in an Observer article nearly 50 years ago.<\/p>\n \u201cMy father\u2019s final words in the article in 1979 said: \u2018London had the course, but did it have the heart and the soul to welcome the world?\u2019 I would ask West Ham, do they have the heart and the soul to open the stadium?\u2019<\/p>\n Brasher said that he expected talks with West Ham to take place in June, although he conceded that if they went down to the Championship it would have an impact.<\/p>\n \u201cIt becomes more complicated,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are more games. That makes a difference. But it\u2019s an Olympic stadium. It\u2019s an amazing stadium. We believe that we can fill it. As an Olympic legacy, that\u2019s all part of the bigger picture here. So, yeah, it\u2019s complicated. Business and life are complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n Rome, Munich, Nairobi as well as an Indian city are also in contention for the Championships. Final submissions from bidding cities are required by early August, with a decision made in September.<\/p>\n