Wednesday 15 December 2010

Say No to football at the Olympic Stadium

I'm a football fan, but the thought of a football club taking over the 2012 Olympic Stadium after the Olympics are done and dusted fills me with horror.

Both West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur have their eyes on the prize.

But I believe it would betray athletics and the the promise of a legacy made when the games were awarded to London.

Olympic athletes, including Kelly Holmes and Daley Thompson have sent an open letter complaining about plans for football to take over the stadium in north east London, and get rid of the running track.

"We urge the decision makers to ensure the track remains post 2012. [It would] bring to life a sporting promise made to a whole community for generations to come."

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) is the organisation responsible for the long-term management of the Stratford site.

Tottenham's plans are for an 80,000-seat stadium without an athletics track. That would break the original pledge for a world-class athletics venue after the 2012 Games.

West Ham's plans involve a 60,000-capacity arena for football, athletics, concerts and community use in a collaboration with Newham Council, a bid endorsed by UKA.

Wouldn't it be great to have a truly world-class athletics stadium in London? However, no doubt economic reality dictates that it's just not possible.

The West Ham option is better, but it would be even better if they both left well alone.

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