London 2012: Athletes want Olympics legacy pledge met

Kelly Holmes and Daley Thompson are among a group of UK Olympians urging authorities to keep the Olympic Stadium running track after the 2012 Games.

Plans by Premier League club Tottenham to relocate to the stadium would result in the running track being removed.

"We urge the decision makers to ensure the track remains post 2012," the group wrote in an open letter.

"[It would] bring to life a sporting promise made to a whole community for generations to come."

Tottenham's proposal has been submitted in collaboration with AEG, who manage the O2 Arena.

West Ham United have also been identified as preferred bidders by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), the organisation responsible for the long-term management of the Stratford site.

Spurs' proposal has been deemed "completely unacceptable" by UK Athletics (UKA) because their plans for an 80,000-seat stadium would involve ripping up the athletics track.

 
It would be unacceptable for the stadium to lose the track and effectively become an Olympic Stadium with NO Olympic connection or legacy
 

 

Athletes' open letter

That would break the original pledge for a world-class athletics venue after the 2012 Games.