THE new West Ham owners’ vision to relocate the club to the Olympic stadium could ignite a battle for the legacy of the London Games.
Joint chairmen, David Sullivan and David Gold’s dream move out of Upton Park is supported by the mayor of Newham, where club and stadium are both located.
But one detail of their plan to rent the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after 2012 sets them on collision course with other powerful figures, who want the stadium to keep its track and field facility.
On Tuesday, Sullivan stated: “I do not think running tracks work in football stadiums.”
That flies in the face of what Lord Coe, the chairman of the London Organising Committee, wants to become of the stadium after the Games finish.
He has said that the track must NOT be dug up.
"What we do know is the commitment to leave a track and field facility within that stadium is rock solid, no one is moving a millimetre off that" said Lord Coe, last November.
The athletics track has been trumpeted as a big part of the legacy of the Games to the community, after 2012.
But Sir Robin Wales, mayor of Newham and an avid West Ham fan, told Guardian Series Sports that the club’s presence at the Stadium will be a worthy legacy.
“We have always argued the Olympic Stadium deserves a top-flight football team after London 2012. In my eyes there is only one obvious choice, and that’s the Hammers” he said.
“West Ham is synonymous with the East End and deserves the chance to be the best and beat the best.
“Allowing the club to move into this iconic setting would ensure a fitting legacy for the stadium.
“It would boost England’s bid to hold the 2018 football World Cup to boot as the stadium would have to be adapted for football.”
Mayor Wales did not comment on the future of the running track.
More to follow.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel