West Ham will prevent Olympic Stadium becoming a 'dust bowl' - Mayor Boris Johnson happy to approve Hammers bid

Posted Friday, March 04, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

London mayor Boris Johnson has claimed that the decision to allow West Ham to take over the Olympic Stadium will prevent the venue becoming 'a dust bowl' staging occasional athletics events.

The Government and mayor today gave their approval to a recommendation by the Olympic Park Legacy Company that West Ham be chosen as the future stadium tenant ahead of Tottenham.

The original plan had been for the Olympic Stadium to be reduced to a 25,000 venue to be the home of British athletics.

West Ham will prevent Olympic Stadium becoming a 'dust bowl' - Mayor Boris Johnson happy to approve Hammers bid
Facing the future: A computer generated image of what a West Ham match might look like at the Olympic Stadium

Johnson said the choice of West Ham would secure the stadium's future - and the fact it will retain the running track will ensure it remains a multi-sport venue.

'I am confident that West Ham will provide a secure future for the stadium which also sees its iconic design for the London Games retained for future generations to admire,' said Johnson.

'Just two years ago it faced the prospect of becoming a dust bowl staging occasional athletics events but now we can look forward to a fantastic multi-use venue at the heart of the community, able to host football and other sports, as well as concerts and events specifically for local people and schools.'

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