IOC Wants Track Retained At 2012 Stadium

The International Olympic Committee has reiterated the desires of UK Athletics by insisting that it would like the London 2012 Olympic Stadium running track to be retained.

The news comes as a blow to Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of occupying the stadium, after the club and joint bidders AEG have proposed to remove the track if they are successful in their bid.

However, West Ham will welcome the views of the IOC as the club has said that it will retain the track if it is granted occupancy.

‘We would favour a solution with a track legacy – that goes without saying,’ said IOC president Jacques Rogge.

But Rogge did admit the decision is out of the IOC’s hands and that the organisation will not intervene: ‘The decision is in the hands of the OPLC (Olympic Park Legacy Committee) along with UK Athletics and LOCOG.’

‘If a solution could be found for the track we would be happy, but don’t expect the IOC to intervene in an issue where we are not responsible,’ he added.

The Olympic Park Legacy Committee (OPLC) is set to recommend which bid it thinks should take over the stadium by 28th January, but any decision will also have to be agreed by London mayor Boris Johnson and the government.

Tottenham Hotspur FC also confirmed this week that it would demolish most of the Olympic Stadium if it won the bid to take the venue over after the London 2012 Games.

Stadium architect David Keirle said the club would use its own money to redevelop the stadium for its use.