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West Ham could get keys to Olympic Park stadium

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And the winner is… will West Ham finally be handed the keys to Olympic Park

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UPDATED:

23:10 GMT, 4 December 2012

The three-year saga over who will be handed the keys to the Olympic Stadium should finally be resolved at high noon on Wednesday.

West Ham remain favourites to inherit the arena that framed many of this summer's iconic sporting moments, but they have taken the precaution of drawing up three responses to the decision.

One is tailored to winning the bid; one in case they do not; and the third will be issued if the farce is prolonged by another deferral.

At last West Ham could find out on Wednesday whether they can move to Stratford

At last West Ham could find out on Wednesday whether they can move to Stratford

Another scenario is that West Ham could be awarded the stadium but be unhappy about caveats attached.

A successful end to the debacle hinges on the vote of the London Legacy Development Corporation board, who meet in Stratford under the chairmanship of London mayor Boris Johnson.

The key issue concerns how to meet the estimated 150million cost of converting the stadium to include football, athletics and concerts. West Ham have upped their contribution to 15m, plus 9m a year including rental, merchandising, catering and naming-rights revenue.

They believe that, with fellow tenants Newham Council paying 60m and the Treasury committed to a 38m subsidy, there will be no further call on the public purse.

Golden summer: The stadium hosted the London 2012 Olympic Games

Golden summer: The stadium hosted the London 2012 Olympic Games

They also dispute that the conversion will cost as much as 150m. No tenders are out for the work.

The Treasury said yesterday that they have not been asked for extra funding towards the stadium, which will remain unused until at least 2015 and possibly the 2016-17 football season.

That looks to have ruled out the stadium being a host venue for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Grand plans: West Ham's Vice-Chairman Karren Brady (R) has said that if the club are chosen, they are determined to create an arena that can be used for athletics, football and the community

Grand plans: West Ham's Vice-Chairman Karren Brady (R) has said that if the club are chosen, they are determined to create an arena that can be used for athletics, football and the community

Celebration: The London 2012 Olympics were an enormous success earlier this year

Celebration: The London 2012 Olympics were an enormous success earlier this year

Leyton Orient, a Formula One consortium and a Burnley-based football business college are the rival bidders.

West Ham were given the stadium in 2011 before legal complaints sunk the deal.

Although a repeat may occur, it is thought the new process will stand up to scrutiny.

Artists impression of what the Olympic Stadium would look like should West Ham be handed the keysArtists impression of what the Olympic Stadium would look like should West Ham be handed the keys

Artists impression of what the Olympic Stadium would look like should West Ham be handed the keys

London Olympics 2012: Athletes laud the greatest Games ever

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As the Olympics says farewell to London, athletes laud the greatest Games ever

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Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

18:19 GMT, 13 August 2012

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UPDATED:

18:21 GMT, 13 August 2012

Olympic athletes praised the London Games as the best ever – as the Mayor of London admitted he struggled to hand back the Olympic flag.

As thousands of fans and sports stars made their way home they applauded games organisers and volunteers for putting on a show that was the envy of the world.

Flying home to California, water polo gold winner Tumua Anae, 23, said: 'The Games were awesome. The people were so good to us. All the volunteers were so friendly and gave us a lot of support.

'I have to say to Britain – you guys did a great job.'

An incredible spectacle: London 2012 never looked back after the bewitching opening ceremony

An incredible spectacle: London 2012 never looked back after the bewitching opening ceremony

Dutch hockey gold medallist Kim Lammers said: 'The volunteers were so great. Everything was so good. The crowd was good and also during our match against GB they were screaming for everybody and it was great. Everything was perfect.'

Gymnast Epke Zonderland, returning to Holland with a gold medal for the men's horizontal bar, said it was a 'perfect' experience and 'everything was taken care of'.

Belgian Hockey player Jill Boon added: 'It was amazing, London did it well.'

As the compliments poured in, London Mayor Boris Johnson – who is riding high in popular opinion for his role in the Games – said he had a 'momentary mad desire' to refuse to give the Olympic flag back to International Olympic Committee boss Jacques Rogge.

Sorry to see it go: Rio mayor Eduardo Paes waves the Olympic flag after Boris Johnson's reluctant handover

Sorry to see it go: Rio mayor Eduardo Paes waves the Olympic flag after Boris Johnson's reluctant handover

He said: 'If you were to say to me that we have just held the greatest games ever in Britain, I would say you are on the right track.'

He added: 'But I suppose there are two emotions – one is obviously some sadness that it is all over, because it's been an amazing experience, but also a great relief because there is no doubt it has been a prodigious exertion by London and by Londoners.'

He added the Games was 'the most extraordinary event we can remember in our lifetimes and which we will remember for the rest of our lives'.

The fortnight was also a shot in the arm for the capital's economy, Mr Johnson said.

Hats off to you all: Olympic volunteers relax in the sun

Hats off to you all: Olympic volunteers relax in the sun

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt agreed, saying: 'This has been two weeks when Britain didn't just surprise the world but surprised itself.'

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: 'On the first day of these Games I said we were determined to do it right. I said that these Games would see the best of us.'

Describing the 17-day event as 'a wonderful Games in a wonderful city', he added: 'We lit the flame and lit up the world.'

Writing in a guide to the closing ceremony Prince Harry said the 'extraordinary' event had touched people's hearts and captured their imaginations.

Heroes: Sir Chris Hoy leads Great Britain's athletics delegation

Heroes: Sir Chris Hoy leads Great Britain's athletics delegation

As the nation breathed a sigh of relief at the stunning success of the Games, Lord Moynihan, who helped steer Team GB to 29 golds and third place in the medal table, stood down as the British Olympic Association (BOA) chief.

He will stay on as chairman until an election is held in November to find a successor but wrote to the BOA board to notify members.

Summing up how the majority of Britons feel about the Games, he wrote: 'The last two weeks have united and inspired the whole country and have surpassed all expectations.

'I am enormously proud to be able to say that with your help, Team GB has not only succeeded at London 2012, it has excelled.

By royal approval: The House of Windsor were a fixture at many Olympic events

By royal approval: The House of Windsor were a fixture at many Olympic events

'The years of hard work and preparation undertaken by everyone at the BOA have paid historic dividends through the delivery of so many outstanding personal bests by our athletes.'

The Games' success was reflected in the massive viewing figures for the closing ceremony.

The musical celebration, which featured performances by acts such as Take That and the Spice Girls, drew an average 23.2 million to the BBC – 200,000 less than the number of people who saw Danny Boyle's mesmerising launch a fortnight earlier.

A peak audience of 26.3 million was watching the event – created by artistic director Kim Gavin – at its height on BBC1 and digital channels at 9.35pm.

Mark Cavendish crashes out of Giro d"Italia

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Disaster for Cavendish as British star crashes out of Giro d'Italia

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UPDATED:

15:00 GMT, 7 May 2012

Team Sky's Mark Cavendish crashed out of the Giro d'Italia as Matthew Goss won Stage Three of the 2012 edition.

Cavendish and Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) both crashed out but Goss (Orica-Green Edge) kept out of trouble to secure his first victory of the season.

Crashing out: Cavendish (centre) falls 100 metres from the finish line

Crashing out: Cavendish (centre) falls 100 metres from the finish line

Goss' team dominated in the final kilometres of the race, only going to the front inside the final two kilometres to deliver Orica's first Grand Tour stage win in four hours 20 minutes 53 seconds.

Juan Jose Heado (Saxo Bank) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Barracuda) finished second and third on the stage.

Despite crashing out, Phinney retained the overall leader's pink jersey.

Today's 190km stage was from Horsens to Horsens and was dedicated to the memory of Wouter Weylandt, who died during the 2011 Giro d'Italia, and the mayor of Horsens Jan Trojborg who died yesterday.

Before the start, riders from Weylandt's Radioshack Nissan Trek team lined up at the front of the peloton, with his close friend Farrar of the Garmin-Barracuda team.

The general director of RCS Sport Michele Acquarone read a message of condolence in the presence of Weylandt's family and the assistant mayor of Horsens remembered Jan Trojborg.

The ceremony concluded with a minute's silence. Cavendish Tweeted: 'Remembering Wouter Weylandt, who sadly left us a year ago today.'

Boris Johnson could reject Chelsea"s Battersea Power Station move

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Non-starter: Johnson could put brakes on Chelsea's Battersea Power Station move

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UPDATED:

17:38 GMT, 5 May 2012

Boris Johnson's re-election as London Mayor may have dealt the first blow to Chelsea's hopes of transforming Battersea Power Station into their new home.

The Blues confirmed they had submitted a bid to build a 60,000-seater stadium on the 39-acre site in Wandsworth, hours before Johnson was declared the winner in the battle to run the capital for the next four years.

The mayor is one of the people Chelsea will need to convince to allow them to redevelop the Grade II* listed Battersea Power Station but his chief of staff and Deputy Mayor for planning, Sir Edward Lister, has said: 'I don't think the site is suitable for Chelsea, and nor do a lot of people. It's not a goer.'

Not a fan: London Mayor Boris Johnson is understood to be against the stadium move

Not a fan: London Mayor Boris Johnson is understood to be against the stadium move

Lister claimed the transport infrastructure was not 'geared up' for 60,000 football fans, despite the Blues having offered to make a 'significant contribution' towards the 900million cost of a proposed extension to the Northern Line.

Chelsea also face fierce competition for the power station, with a number of interested parties having submitted what were sealed bids.

That prevented the Blues' billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich, from knowing precisely how much he needed to offer to beat off any opposition.

Even if Chelsea succeed, they cannot move anywhere before convincing fan-led group Chelsea Pitch Owners to sell them the freehold to Stamford Bridge.

Keen to move: Chelsea want to move to a bigger stadium

Keen to move: Chelsea want to move to a bigger stadium

Were that to happen, they would then need the permission of English Heritage to revamp Battersea Power Station itself.

The club have already said they would restore the building's four iconic chimneys and west turbine hall.

An English Heritage spokesperson told Press Association Sport today: “We were, of course, aware that Chelsea FC has taken an interest in the Battersea site. Our understanding is that they are one of a number of bids.

'It will be our role to look at and advise on the impact of any proposals that come forward.

'Full planning permission and listed building consent were granted in 2005 for a mixed-use scheme promoted by Parkview.

Prime location: Chelsea are one of the bidders hoping to buy Battersea Power Station

Prime location: Chelsea are one of the bidders hoping to buy Battersea Power Station

'Permission and consent were again granted in 2011 for a different mixed use scheme promoted by Treasury Holdings.

'English Heritage provided consent for both conversion schemes, alongside Wandsworth BC and the Mayor or London.

'The power station is listed at grade two star in recognition of it powerful scale, celebrated silhouette, and that, as a power station it was the first to rationalise large-scale distribution of power – the 'Cathedral of Power' provided a fifth of London's electricity.

'The building is a masterpiece of industrial design. It is one of London's most prominent landmarks and one of a few with a genuine claim to the title 'iconic'.'

London 2012 Olympics: Games will come in under budget, says Government

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We won't sell you down the river! Government vow to deliver Games UNDER budget

The Government are set to confirm that the 500million contingency budget for the Olympic Games remains unspent, MPs have been told.

Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson said that, with 150 days to go, he expected confirmation the sporting spectacular would come in under budget.

The news comes after giant Olympic rings were towed on the River Thames, past the Tower of London on Tuesday.

Measuring 11 metres high by 25 metres wide, the rings are being showcased as Mayor of London Boris Johnson prepare to announce details of two new cultural programmes, which will be part of the London 2012 Festival, along with details of other cultural events being organised to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Water performance: Giant Olympic rings are being towed along the River Thames

Water performance: Giant Olympic rings are being towed along the River Thames

The Government has had to rebuff concerns in recent months that the 9.3billion budget could be overspent after the costs of security and ceremonies soared.

Six of the eight venues on the Olympic Park have plans in place for their future, while 16 expressions of interest have been lodged with the team working on future uses for the Olympic Stadium.

Mr Robertson told MPs on Monday night:'We are on track, on time and just under budget to deliver a great games…

'With 150 days to go, we will be in a position to reveal that of the original budget, 500 million remains an unused contingency.'

MPs had earlier debated the Olympics budget, with many looking forward to London 2012 getting under way in July.

Chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee John

Whittingdale said: 'This is going to be an occasion which is probably going to achieve the greatest global television audience almost ever recorded.

Good to glow: How the rings looked overnight before they made their journey along the famous river

Good to glow: How the rings looked overnight before they made their journey along the famous river

'They will all be looking at London and that is a huge opportunity for us and therefore I do think it right that we should put on a pretty good show.

'The select committee has inevitably concentrated on the areas where there have been concerns, we have identified where we think there could be problems, hopefully in a way that has allowed them to be tackled.

'I pay particular tribute to the Olympic Delivery Authority, which I think has done a fantastic job in building such remarkable facilities on time and we hope within budget, and also Locog (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) whose main job is still ahead but nevertheless has done a huge amount of very impressive work and I look forward even more to a fantastic games.'

Promise: Olympics secretary Jeremy Hunt, who rubbed shoulders in LA at the weekend with Kenneth Branagh, Victoria Beckham and Gary Oldman, says the Games will come in under budget

Promise: Olympics secretary Jeremy Hunt, who rubbed shoulders in LA at the weekend with Kenneth Branagh, Victoria Beckham and Gary Oldman, says the Games will come in under budget

Tory MP Louise Mensch (Corby), a member of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said she thought the Olympics would be an 'unmitigated triumph'.

She said the 41m increase in the budgets of the opening and closing ceremonies were 'cheap at the price, while it has already been decided how six out of eight Olympic venues will be used after the Games before they have even taken place'.

Meanwhile, culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has reiterated the Government’s confidence that the Games will come in under budget.

Countdown: The Games in east London are fast approaching

Countdown: The Games in east London are fast approaching

'There has been unbelievably tight financial control across the project,' Hunt told the Daily Telegraph.

laura Williamson 2012 blog

'We still need an unallocated contingency because there are things that could come up, but we can be much more confident that we will be within budget than we have ever been.

'You can never say never, because you don’t know what’s round the corner.

'But I have always had the view that the most difficult thing that I could imagine having to do in this job would be asking [Chancellor of the Exchequer] George Osborne for more money for the Olympics given the cuts that are happening across the rest of Government.'

London 2012 Olympics: Excluding football will be greatest mistake, says Richard Caborn

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Excluding football from Olympic stadium will be London's greatest mistake, says Caborn

Olympic chiefs are now paying the price for snubbing football when designing the London 2012 stadium, former sports minister Richard Caborn has claimed.

At a meeting in February 2007, the Olympic Board ruled out further discussions with any top-flight club about changing the design of the 468million stadium to cater for football after the Games.

West Ham had been interested but at that board meeting then Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chairman Sir Roy McNulty was told to inform the club of the decision.

Wrong side of the tracks: The arena in Stratford will be a football-free zone

Wrong side of the tracks: The arena in Stratford will be a football-free zone

Building work then started on the stadium based on the original design to keep the running track in place and without any plans for retractable seating to allow easy conversion for a football club to take place.

Caborn was due to tell a debate at the Oxford Union that it was a costly mistake to initially snub football.

He said: 'It was a great opportunity missed and we are paying the price for it now.

'We should have used the Manchester City model and designed it so that the stadium could be retro-fitted for football – using retractable seating and keeping the running track in place.

'The Olympics will be a great success but we have underachieved in a number of areas in legacy, including participation in sport and the Olympic Stadium.'

As sports minister, Caborn had championed football for the stadium but was over-ruled by others on the Olympic Board including London mayor Ken Livingstone, Olympics minister Tessa Jowell, London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, and British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan.

It was only after Boris Johnson replaced Livingstone as London mayor in 2008 that he started to push for a football legacy.

Wembley way: Team GB will play under the famous arch while the future of the stadium in east London remains undecided

Wembley way: Team GB will play under the famous arch while the future of the stadium in east London remains undecided

Wembley way: Team GB will play under the famous arch while the future of the stadium in east London remains undecided

The future of the stadium still remains uncertain after, in October, the Government scrapped a decision for West Ham to take it over following legal challenges from Tottenham.

The process has been reopened and the Olympic Park Legacy Company this week received 16 expressions of interest about taking over the stadium, and although West Ham remain favourites they want the public purse to pick up the 95million bill for converting it to football.

The Oxford Union are debating the motion: 'This House believes that the London Olympics will deliver the promised legacy', and Caborn is opposing the motion. BOA chief executive Andy Hunt is speaking in favour.

Caborn was also due to argue that the failure to hit targets on increasing sports participation is partly due to cuts to funding to school sport.
Current ODA chairman John Armitt admitted last month that, with hindsight, it may have been better to have built the stadium specifically for a football club to move in afterwards.

laura Williamson 2012 blog

Armitt said: 'There was a commitment that there would be an international athletics stadium. We didn't want a white elephant so we consciously said let's design something which is demountable and can go from 80,000-seats to 25,000 post the Games.

'Today with hindsight would you have done a Manchester City solution Maybe, but that would have cost quite a lot more. At that time our focus was on keeping within budget and keeping the costs down.

'What I think we have got is a superb stadium from an engineering point of view.'