Sir Robin said that they would be looking to find partners to take over the arena following the competition but warned that Government funds could be necessary for maintenance costs.

Sir Robin said: "We have put an expression of interest in...we are very concerned about the maintenance.

"This is going to be something which is going to cost money, not make money.

"Where the Stadium will over time not be a drain on public funds, and in fact will make us money, the aquatics is a very different beast."

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) said that 35 organisations had submitted expressions of interest in taking over the acquatics venue, the deadline for which passed last week.

Iraqi born Hadid designed the centre, and whilst it is one of the most striking pieces of architecture on the Olympic Park, it has also proved to be an unattractive proposition to potential operators for practical reasons, a fact Sir Robin acknowledged.

He said: "It's got a wooden roof over a chlorinated pool.

"We are not in the business of protecting that.

"Why do you build something that has got a built-in problem with maintenance?

"This is foolish.

"If a Council did that we'd get eviscerated, and quite rightly too.

"I don't know if you can take the roof off, I'm not a swimming pool designer."

Sir Robin said that the Borough, which partnered with Premier League West Ham United to win the right to take over the Olympic Stadium after next year's Games, wanted to allow locals to use the centre for recreational activities.

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