Umida Ibrahimova reports on the Irons in the Olympic flame
West Ham United have reaffirmed their interest in making the Olympics Stadium their new home ground from the 2014-2015 season onwards.
Issues regarding funding and changes to the stadium still need to be resolved as the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) is reluctant to alter the seating inside the stadium and to fund the £160 million re-development proposed by West Ham.
LLDC Chief Executive, Dennis Hone has told the Guardian that the adaptations must be of high standards, “quality adaptations that can last for 75 years and that we can be proud of”.
Decision Postponed
West Ham United’s co-owner David Gold tweeted on Tuesday that the decision has been postposed and “we must be patient and resolute”.
‘It is now 20 months since West Ham United were initially named as preferred bidder to occupy the Olympic stadium post-Games. We are obviously disappointed, that three bids later, a decision has yet to be reached,’ he concluded.
Despite the setback regarding the decision, the Premiership side has released a positive statement confirming that they are ‘fully committed to becoming the catalyst to galvanise Olympic Park by bringing people, jobs and sustainable commercial offer that guarantees a return to the taxpayer’.
Some fans are not happy with the owners’ decision to change West Ham United’s home ground. ‘Why move? Stay where you are, the legacy of Hammers is at Green Street,’ said Gareth, who, as a West Ham fan, has been travelling down to Upton Park to support his team for the past 37 years.
Tricky
Dennis Hone has admitted that the decision could take a month or two, but he is determined to ‘get the right solution’.
‘Yes, the stadium is tricky. But it’s tricky because we want to get it right. I would hate to bung someone in there and see it fall apart in five years,’ he continued. ‘If it takes a couple of extra months to get there, then so be it’.
Competition
West Ham aren’t the only candidate bidding for the Olympic Stadium as there are also bids from Leyton Orient FC, a group wanting to host a Formula One race and a business college for football.
According to Inside World Football, the stadium which cost £486 million to build has already been booked for 20 athletics related events in future, which include the World Championships in 2017. Newham council has contributed £40 million and the Olympic Stadium will be available for community use.
West Ham vice-chair, Karren Brady, was quoted by the Guardian last month as saying that they would not only ‘bring the most exciting and watched football league in the world to Stratford but also retain the Olympic legacy.’