UK ATHLETICS have thrown a spanner into the works as West Ham attempt to negotiate a move to the Olympic Stadium. They want to use it for the World Championships in, wait for it – 2015! It would seem that David Sullivan s statement about the stadium last
UK ATHLETICS have thrown a spanner into the works as West Ham attempt to negotiate a move to the Olympic Stadium.
They want to use it for the World Championships in, wait for it - 2015!
It would seem that David Sullivan's statement about the stadium last week may well have ruffled the feathers of a few people.
First, stories emerged that Westfield, the owners of a shopping centre to be built close to the stadium, were objecting to the prospect of football fans arriving at the nearby stadium.
That now appears not to be the case.
However, Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics says that West Ham's presence could stop them from making a bid for the 2015 Championships.
"West Ham made a clear decision two or three years ago that the stadium wasn't going to work for Premier League football and for them to come back to the table and put a spanner into the works regarding the timetable is very frustrating," said Warner.
He stressed that unless there was a prompt decision, UK Athletics would have to abandon their bid for the championships.
Sullivan is keen to move, but less keen on a running track being there at all, although that perfect scenario for the Hammers is unlikely to materialise.
A compromise seems to be the best alternative, with Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell providing government funds to convert the stadium after the 2012 Olympics, temporary seating being placed on the running track during the winter months and West Ham footing the bill for the running costs.
There is still a lot of talking to be done, but the future of the �537million project now seems likely to be as keenly-fought as the West Ham takeover.
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