IAAF President Sebastian Coe says claims of bribery by Qatar in the bidding process for the 2017 world athletics championship are being investigated.
Ed Warner, chairman of UK Athletics, said on Sunday his bid team was told "brown envelopes" were being handed to members of the IAAF Council the night before the vote in 2011 between London and Qatari capital Doha, which London won.
Warner also said his team agreed to spend $US7.2 million ($A10.51 million) to cover prize money, having been warned they were unlikely to succeed if they did not.
Speaking on BBC Radio alongside Warner, Coe said he was unaware of the claims but promised to look into them.
Qatar have denied any wrongdoing in their bids for either the 2017 championship or the 2019 championship, which they will host.
