Hammers confirm Olympic Stadium bid (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Hammers confirm Olympic Stadium bid

1:02pm Friday 23rd March 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

West Ham have confirmed that they have submitted a bid to become tenants of the Olympic Stadium in London after the 2012 Games.

The Hammers won the original contest to move to the stadium in Stratford last year, but that deal collapsed following complaints from Tottenham, Leyton Orient and another anonymous party.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) decided to start the process over again but instead offer the stadium on a lease basis, rather than a permanent one.

The deadline for submissions was noon on Friday and npower Championship club West Ham confirmed their intention to bid to move to the flagship stadium of the 2012 Olympics.

A statement on the club's website read: "West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has today confirmed the club's intention to submit a bid by lunchtime (Friday 23 March) to be the anchor user of the Olympic Stadium post-Games in line with the OPLC deadline."

West Ham have applied for a 99-year lease of the stadium, which is reported to have cost £486million to build.

Brady said: "Having spent the last two years dedicated to this project I am privileged to once more be submitting West Ham United's bid to become the anchor concessionaire of the Olympic Stadium post the 2012 Games.

"From the outset it has been my firm, unwavering belief that the stadium can truly become a multi-use destination of which east London and the nation as a whole can be proud. I have never lost sight of our vision to play our part, along with the stadium's major stakeholders, in ensuring it grows into a global asset, the 'jewel in the crown' of the (Olympic) Park that will be watched by the world.

"Our vision for the stadium has always been about standing up for the promises made for London back in Singapore in 2005 and what they meant for our future generations. We are honoured to have once more received the support and backing of our friends at UK Athletics.

"I would like to thank the many West Ham supporters who have given their time to share their opinions on our proposed move ahead of this decision and despite the considerable constraints and confidentiality agreements we were required to enter into, I can assure them their feedback has been instrumental in informing the board's approach to our bid."