West Ham among 16 interested in London 2012 Olympic Stadium as deadline passes

By David Gold

January 31 – There have been 16 expressions of interest from parties interested in moving to the Olympic Stadium after London 2012, including one from West Ham United, insideworldfootball understands.

West Ham originally won the right to move into the venue after the Olympics last year but the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) withdrew from negotiations with the club amid a legal challenge from Tottenham Hotspur, who had been defeated in the bidding process.

The tender process started by OPLC last December required potential applicants to register their interest by the end of January and insidethegames understands that West Ham have done this.

Tottenham have not expressed an interest on this occasion.

West Ham’s position regarding a formal application has not changed, though, and they remain unsure whether or not they will go ahead with a bid to become the new tenant at the venue.

West Ham are reluctant to go forward with a bid unless they are given more clarity over the bidding process.

“There have been 16 registrations from parties interested in bidding to use the stadium after the Games,” the OPLC said in a statement issued to insidethegames.

“They now have until 23 March, 2012, to submit their full bids.

“The (OPLC) plans to appoint the winning bidders in May 2012 and remains on track to reopen the venue in 2014.

“Each successful bidder will add to the athletics legacy already secured for the stadium including the new national centre for athletics and host of the 2017 World Athletic Championships.”

The OPLC will be reformed as a Mayoral Development Corporation in April, in a move designed to bolster their powers and give City Hall more control over the legacy of the Olympic Park, though the bidding process for the Olympic Stadium should be unaffected.

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