• London 2012 Olympics

Gold defends Olympic Stadium bid

David Gold says West Ham's bid to inherit the Olympic Stadium is 'not just about money and football' © Getty Images

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West Ham co-owner David Gold has hit back at Harry Redknapp's claims the Hammers' bid to take over the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games is a mistake.

Tottenham boss Redknapp claims the Hammers would risk turning their home ground into a "desolate graveyard" if they go through with their plans to keep an athletics track inside the stadium.

West Ham intend to keep the track as part of the Olympic organisers' legacy promise to have a world-class athletics stadium in London, but Redknapp claims football and athletics do not mix.

Gold submitted West Ham's bid on Friday, up against a rival bid from Tottenham, who intend to build a 60,000-seater football-only stadium and redevelop the current athletics venue at Crystal Palace.

But the former Birmingham chairman insisted Hammers fans should not be concerned about loss of atmosphere, claiming spectators would have a better view than at Wembley.

"It's a bid that is all about legacy; it's about the future, it's not just about money and football," Gold told Sky Sports News. This is about keeping promises.

"Having come to the stadium and having seen all of the documentation I am now convinced that this is very doable. If you go to Wembley and then come to the Olympic Stadium you will find that the sight lines are better than those at Wembley.

"You will be able to see every action clearly here at the Olympic Stadium. I promise you this is a red herring."

With West Ham fighting for their Premier League future, Gold insisted relegation would not affect their attitude to the bid.

"This is not about next year and the year after, this is about the next 100 or 200 years," he said. "Clubs have their difficulties and go through ups and downs...and the model covers all possibilities."

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