West Ham Defiant That They Will Move to Olympic Stadium

After they were relegated from the English Premier League this weekend, London-based soccer club West Ham United have insisted that they still plan to move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012, despite their recent disappointment.

A spokesman for West Ham said they were “totally committed” to making the US$836m venue their new home after the Games next year, though their demotion from the top flight of English football is bound to provide rivals Tottenham Hotspur with fresh ammunition in their fight to have the decision overturned.

Both Tottenham and League One side Leyton Orient have applied for separate judicial reviews into West Ham’s bid for different reasons but the Hammers claim their original bid made provisions for both Premier League and Championship soccer.

The spokesman added: “As far as our plans for the Olympic Stadium are concerned, we are continuing at a pace.”

It is thought that unless they are promoted straight away, West Ham’s move to the Olympic Stadium must be serious doubt, in terms both of likely attendances and global image.