By Tom Degun in Monte Carlo
November 20 – Sergey Bubka, one of the most influential figures in world sport, has accused London 2012 of going back on its promise to guarantee a legacy for athletics after the Olympics by short-listing a proposal from Premier League Tottenham Hotspur that would involve ripping up the track after the Games.
The Ukrainan, senior vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and an influential member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has warned London the stadium should not be given to Tottenham, who have already said they will rip up the running track.
A visibly agitated Bubka said that such a scenario would not only be a huge blow for athletics, but would also see London completely backtrack on the pledge made when it was awarded the Games in Singapore in 2005.
“I call it a gentleman’s agreement,” said Bubka.
“It means when we say something, we shake the hand and we deal.
“In 2005 in Singapore, London promised to us to deliver [an athletics] legacy after the Olympic Games.
“It was guaranteed to us that the track would remain.
“I was chairman of the Evaluation Commission for the 2015 World Athletics Championships.
“We visited London [which bid to host the event before pulling out earlier this month] and we discussed all the information.
“The main criterion was that the track would remain.
“For me, I would not even discuss this issue because it was promised in 2005.
“What is the problem for the UK to maintain one Olympic Stadium [for athletics] with a history, with a track, with everything?
“Reduce the capacity in seating – yes that is fair and that was agreed – but continue to have athletics.
“This needs to be done to keep the faith also.
“To keep the faith in terms of what was asked and what was promised in 2005.
“If we need, we can talk [to the Olympic Park Legacy Company] but my point is why do we even need to talk about that?
“They just need to remember – we just need to remind them.”
Earlier this week UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner admitted Britain had a poor record of keeping promises it made when it bid for major events.
Britain was forced to pull out of hosting the 2005 World Championships when the Government failed to keep a written guarantee that then Prime Minister Tony Blair had made to fund a new stadium at Picketts Lock.
An earlier bid for the World Championships was also abandoned after the Government failed to keep its promise to build a track at the redeveloped Wembley Stadium.
Bubka said: “The situation is getting very bad and very critical.
“The UK is a very strong athletic country.
“With their great athletics history and powerful economy they must have at least one major athletics track.”
If Britain fails to keep its promise it could also be a major setback to Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012, who has ambitions to be the next President of the IAAF.
His main opponent is expected to be Bubka, the 1988 Olympic pole vault champion and world record holder.
Bubka claimed he is seeking urgent talks with Coe over the situation and will try to persuade him that the bid from Tottenham’s Premier League rivals West Ham United, who have promised to keep the track, is the one chosen.
He said: “I know that Seb always tries [to ensure and athletics legacy] and that it is a very painful issue for him.
“I just hope the track will be maintained.
“This is not just about a building, this is about inspiring youngster in the UK but hosting major athletics events in a major venue in the country.
“This is about health and encouraging healthy lifestyles and about image and the image of London.
“I would say this is now a matter of dignity.”
Bubka added that building another athletics venue separate to the Olympic Stadium should Tottenham take over the stadium would be counter-productive.
He said: “The Olympic Stadium is the Olympic Stadium and is perfect for an athletics legacy.
“The plan was presented and everyone must stick to that, so why do you need to move to somewhere else?
“If London wants to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships, there would be no chance [without the Olympic Stadium].
“For me, the promise, the gentleman’s agreement on the track, is already done.”
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