Seb Coe insists empty seats in Birmingham won’t harm London’s bid for 2029 worlds

Crowds have been disappointing at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, has played down suggestions that empty seats at the European championships could affect London’s bid for the 2029 worlds.

The sparse crowds earlier in the week in Birmingham have been one of the big talking points of the championships, with criticisms of the ticket prices and the marketing of the event, even though the last four days are close to a sellout.