West Ham could move to Olympic stadium after 2012
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Organisers of the 2012 London Olympics may change their plans for the main stadium and are considering proposals for it to become the home of the Premiership football club West Ham United.
Sebastian Coe, chairman of the organising committee said yesterday that in terms of the use of the stadium after the 2012 Games "nothing had been ruled out", including relocating the east London club there.
His comments came at the start of an inspection from the International Olympic Committee and represent a change of tack from when London were bidding for the games.
Bid leaders at that time suggested that the 80,000 stadium at the centre of the Olympic Park would be reduced in capacity after the Games for athletics use. The London Mayor Ken Livingstone stressed at the Labour party conference that West Ham "would not be at the stadium".
By pledging an athletics legacy for the stadium, London's bid team are thought to have swayed several IOC members in their favour, including Lamine Diack, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Yesterday Lord Coe said: "We have not ruled out a Premiership club. We have always said track and field had to be a very serious part of the Olympics Games in London. We have soldiered on for far too long with a facility [Crystal Palace] that is not really fit for purpose for anything other than domestic events. The legacy of the stadium is under review at the moment. This is something we are looking at - no doors are open or closed, but track and field is part of the legacy that we are moving forward with."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments