West Ham Among 15 Others Vying for Olympic Stadium

Sixteen companies have been verified in expressing an interest in bidding for the use of London’s Olympic Stadium after this year’s games, including West Ham United.

The Championship club’s original deal to take over the $766 million Olympic Stadium collapsed in October amid legal uncertainty and a dispute with Tottenham.

The government opened a tender process on 20 December and bidders have until 23 March to submit full proposals.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) revealed the numbers after the 30 January deadline passed.

“Each successful bidder will add to the athletics legacy already secured for the stadium”

OPLC spokesperson

A spokesperson for the OPLC said: “There have been 16 registrations from parties interested in bidding to use the stadium after the Games. They now have until 23 March 2012 to submit their full bids.

“The Legacy Company plans to appoint the winning bidders in May 2012 and remains on track to reopen the venue in 2014.”

Tottenham is no longer interested in the 2012 site, while West Ham was one of 16 parties to register an interest, but has yet to decide whether to bid again.

The OPLC also reiterated that the athletics track remaining in place is a non-negotiable part of the process.

The spokesperson added: “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 Athletics Championships.”

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