Olympic stadium merry-go-round

The venue is not even completed but the Olympic stadium is causing problems for 3 London Clubs. With hopes of a new ground hinging on the decision on 2012 Olympics centre piece.


Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are vying for the 80'000 Athletics venue to make it their new home. Both bids have been under criticism this week. West Ham's criticism has been aimed at keeping the running track. Ex British Olympic Association chief executive Simon Clegg said

'It is not compatible to have football and track and field athletics in the same stadium in this country.' 

An example of this is The Withdean Stadium, home of Brighton & Hove Albion. Although it was a temporarily measure, the atmosphere was poor.

Tottenham Hotspur have had the most criticism, their controversial plans to demolish the majority of the £527m stadium brought a critical response from ex-BOA Chairman Sir Craig Reedie and UK Athletics coach Charles van Commenee. Commenee went on record to say:

 'If London doesn't have a stadium where we can organise major championships in athletics, that puts you in a category in Europe that I can't even think of. Is there any capital in Europe that can't do this? Even Vilnius or Tallinn can do that. Maybe the capital of Albania doesn't have a stadium, I don't know. I'm astonished when I see all these articles that there's even a discussion, when a promise is made at the time that we made the bid.'

Tottenham's bid for the Olympic stadium makes a pledge to contribute to the refurbishment of the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace. Which would scupper the club of the same name. The Eagles announced today plans to move back 'home' to a 40'000 stadium. The proposal would also include a new aquatic centre, new community athletics facility and reconfigured indoor sports complex as they also renovate the National Sports Centre, which will be housed next to the stadium.

Whatever happens, a decision which benefits the whole of London is paramount. What do they want? an 80'000 seater white elephant? A football ground? Or a multi purpose arena?