Leading Olympian Shakes-Drayton and reigning world and Paralympic champion Whitehead removed the finish line where Usain Bolt crossed to win Olympic 100m gold in 2012.

The London 2012 track is being replaced with a brand new, super-fast surface which will be in place well ahead of the IAAF and IPC World Championships in 2017.

Tower Hamlets resident Shakes-Drayton competed at the London 2012 Games in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay. She said:

"Dreams were made when athletes like Usain Bolt crossed this famous finish line at the Olympic Games in 2012 and I hope to be creating new memories for Britain at the London 2017 World Championships."

Whitehead created one of the iconic moments of the Paralympic Games when he won gold in the 200m T42 event in a world record time of 24.38 seconds. He announced at the track lifting that London 2017 will be his final ever track race and cannot imagine a better stage on which to end his career. He said:

"London 2017 will be the greatest occasion for me to end my career. A home World Championships, back in the Olympic Stadium, will be incredible. London 2017 will be one of those 'I was there' moments and will be huge for Britain and for athletics - able-bodied and Paralympic."

More information on ticketing for London 2017 will be announced in April including timetable, pricing and key on-sale dates. A volunteering programme will also be launched in the coming months.

Members of the general public can register now to receive more information by following the link below.