Uka: Spurs Stadium Bid ‘unacceptable’

UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner has wholeheartedly branded Tottenham Hotspur’s proposal to take over the Olympic Stadium with AEG after the Olympic Games in 2012 as ‘completely unacceptable’.

Tottenham’s bid has been shortlisted as a preferred bidder alongside Premier League rivals West Ham’ s proposal.

However, Tottenham and AEG’s bid includes getting rid of the running track and Warner says: ‘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 plan to make the east-London stadium an 80,000-seat venue that would host events under AEG’s management, whilst West Ham want to create a 60,000-seat arena for football whilst keeping the running track for athletics.

‘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 greatest city in the world deserves a facility that is capable of hosting world championships and major athletics events. That is really the legacy we need from the Games for our sport.’

UK Athletics recently confirmed that London has pulled out of the running to host the 2015 IAAF World Athletics Championships to focus its attention on bidding for the 2017 tournament.

The decision, which has the backing of the UK Government, ensures UKA can present a bid with the necessary backing in place and also one which has clarity over the future use of the Olympic Stadium.

Watch Olympic Champion and LOCOG board member give his views on the legacy of the Olympic Stadium to Sport Industry TV here.