The unanimous recommendation, after months of wrangling with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, was widely expected after being leaked 48 hours previously and will now have to be ratified by two Government departments as well as the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Although approval for West Ham’s bid seems certain to be given, Tottenham, who are understood to be unhappy over political issues outweighing commercial viability, could still call for a judicial review over the process.

Baroness Ford (pictured), the chair of the OPLC, said: "We have made a unanimous recommendation to back West Ham and the borough of Newham as the long term tenant.

"This represents the very best legacy for the stadium.

"It is cracking for the communities of East London and a really good outcome for sport."

The Government will now begin looking into the decision.

''Today's recommendation by the OPLC Board marks an important milestone for the future of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the whole of the Olympic project," said a ioint statement from Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

"We would like to thank Baroness Ford and all her Board Members for the conscientious and thorough way they have approached the decision making process.

"We will look through their recommendation in detail before coming to our own decision.

"We aim to make a formal announcement to Parliament shortly."



But the British Olympic Association (BOA) hailed the decision as a "victory for athletes" and that it had ensured Britain's reputation remained untained.

"The recommendation announced today by the Olympic Park Legacy Company is a victory for athletes, for sport and, importantly, for the generations of young people who will see their lives transformed as a result of the London 2012 Olympic Games," they said in a statement. 

"We hope this recommendation will ensure the London Games will be the beginning, rather than the end, of a dynamic new era for Olympic, high performance and grassroots sport in Great Britain.

"This is also a victory for the reputation of British sport globally.

"When the London 2012 Bid Team stood before members of the International Olympic Committee in 2005 and asked for their vote, they did so with a commitment to deliver a meaningful legacy from the Olympic Games, including the retention of an athletics track inside the iconic Olympic Stadium.

"The recommendation announced today, if ultimately accepted, will be a major step forward in delivering on that promise."



Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Atheltics, said; "We are of course delighted with this recommendation.

"The pledges made on behalf of our sport have been met and there will be a long term athletics legacy in the Olympic Park.

"The West Ham and Newham bid has shown real vision and gives the UK a unique opportunity for athletics at every level as well as the best chance of hosting future international major events.

"The retention of the track means we now have a fantastic opportunity to ensure that athletics, the number one Olympic and Paralympic sport, can not only make the most of the 2012 opportunity, but ensure that it continues to inspire for generations to come."

Claire Kober, the Leader of Haringey Council, also backed the decision as it means that, in the short-term at least, Tottenham will stay in the Borough.

She said: “We are of course very pleased with the recommendation of the OPLC Board, which we believe offers the best outcome for London, for Haringey and for the Olympic legacy.

"We hope that Spurs will do what we sincerely believe is best for their fans and the Borough and honour decades of history by making a commitment to stay in Tottenham where they belong and deliver the Northumberland Development Project.

"Haringey Council has given substantial and enthusiastic support to Spurs’ plans for a new stadium in Tottenham, and that support remains.

"Planning permission is in place and building work could start almost immediately, delivering a new world-class stadium for the club within the next few years.

"As we have always made clear, we will work hard in partnership with Spurs to help them to achieve the best possible facilities for a great club in a great place that really wants them to stay."

Former Mayor Ken Livingstone, who was in charge of the capital during London's successful bid, also added his pleasure.

"This is the right decision for Londoners, the right decision for sports fans and athletes and the right decision for those who are working to deliver a long-term Olympic legacy for the capital," he said.

"In 2005 we made clear commitments about the sporting, economic and social legacy of the Olympics in order to win the right to host the 2012 Games.

"Today’s decision will ensure we fulfil the promises we made to the IOC and to Londoners, that the capital will retain a world class athletics stadium at the Olympic Park which will inspire and engage future generations of Londoners.

"In the coming weeks and months we need to resolve the question of Tottenham Hotspur’s intention to move into a bigger stadium. I fear any move from the London Borough of Haringey by Tottenham would be disastrous for the local economy and community.

"The club is the biggest private sector employer in Haringey and makes a massive economic, sporting and social contribution to a community which suffers from the highest unemployment in London."


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