West Ham United today confirmed that the decision by the
2012 Olympic Board to opt for a mainly athletics use for the
Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games ended the club's direct
interest in the stadium project at this stage.
The Club expressed its thanks to the Government, the Mayor and the
Olympic authorities for the dialogue which has taken place on this
issue and emphasised its view that all parties had acted in good
faith.
West Ham United had set out its assessment of the possibilities on
the legacy use of the stadium in a letter to the Olympic Delivery
Authority on 17th January 2007, following meetings between
professional advisers. The club set out its proposals on possible
solutions but recognised the tight timelines on stadium design and
construction and the work already undertaken on a 25,000 seat
stadium option.
Commenting on the stadium issue, West Ham United Chairman, Eggert
Magnusson, said today: "We have had a constructive dialogue on
the possible legacy use of the Olympic Stadium but it was always
clear that a solution which worked for all parties would be very
difficult.
"It would appear that the option chosen by the Olympic
Board could not work for us, given the needs of a modern football
club, but we are positive about the discussion which has taken
place.
"As a club we remain ambitious for the development of our
stadium and will be exploring, in conjunction with the Mayor of
London, other options as we move forward.
"Certainly there is a benefit in all the major stakeholders in
the East End of London working together to help achieve the best
possible regeneration for the area and we will want to play our
part in full in the years ahead."