Athletes Demand 2012 Stadium Retains Track
Some of Britain’s top athletes have expressed their desire for the Olympic Stadium to retain its athletic track after the 2012 Games in an open letter.
Athletes such as Brendan Foster, Tanni Grey Thompson and Kelly Holmes have signed the letter that is a plea to key decision makers to keep the track that has provided divided opinion amongst bidders for the stadium.
The letter reads: ‘One of the most compelling aspects of our bid back in 2005 was the promise of an athletics legacy in the form of a world class stadium.’
‘Here was a stadium that would see young athletes competing for an English Schools title run on the same track as Usain Bolt, where Premiership footballers could play whilst club athletes train.’
‘As Olympians we are all ardent sports fans and that is why we believe the Olympic legacy HAS to be the Olympic Stadium complete with track.
‘It would be unacceptable for the stadium to lose the track and effectively become an Olympic Stadium with NO Olympic connection or legacy. We urge the decision makers in this process to ensure the track remains post 2012 and bring to life a sporting promise made to a whole community for generations to come.’
Tottenham Hotspur’s bid for the stadium has been shortlisted as a preferred bidder alongside Premier League rivals West Ham’s proposal.
However, Tottenham’s joint bid with AEG includes getting rid of the running track, a decision that UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner branded as as ‘completely unacceptable’.
Warner said: ‘It is (essential) for Tottenham and AEG to go back to the original promise made in 2005, that was about UK Athletics being at the heart of the Olympic Park.’
‘Tottenham and AEG have made it clear that they will rip up the track and make it a football only venue and that is hugely concerning to me,’ added Warner.
The athletes point to the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester to accentuate their views: ‘There is no doubt a legacy of bricks and mortar can work. Look to the Velodrome in Manchester, a true legacy of the 2002 Commonwealth Games that is paying dividends every time British Cyclists compete on the world stage.’
The full list of athletes that signed the letter is: Steve Backley, Jamie Baulch, Roger Black, Steve Cram, Lynn Davies, Brendan Foster, Tanni Grey Thompson, Kelly Holmes, Kath Merry, David Moorcroft, Alan Pascoe, Wendy Sly, Ian Stewart, Daley Thompson, Alan Wells and Sally Gunnell.
