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Olympics stadium could turn into 'white elephant' after 2012
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent01.07.09
The 2012 Olympic Stadium is in danger of becoming a "white elephant", a London Assembly committee claimed today.
The stadium in Stratford is to be shrunk from an 80,000-seat venue to a 25,000 capacity arena after the Games, when it will be available for educational, cultural and community use.
But the London Assembly's Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism committee, in its assessment of progress towards fulfilling legacy promises of hosting the Games, has concerns over its long-term future.
It points out there is "no identified tenant to take over the management and maintenance of the stadium" after the Games. In its report - Toward a Lasting Legacy - published today, the committee argues: "Without a credible anchor tenant to bring regular foot-fall into the park there will be serious doubts as to the future financial viability of the venue and hence attractiveness of the park site to business investment.
"Lord Coe [London 2012 chairman] has consistently supported keeping the stadium with an athletic track.
"However, it is far from clear that such a sporting venue will be able to host events that regularly attract the hundreds and thousands of spectators required in order for it to be financially viable.
"Without decisive action the stadium is in danger of becoming a white elephant."
The report notes that Beijing's 2008 Olympics stadium now has no anchor tenant and relies on tourists as its main source of income.
