Sanderson is a Board member of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) who are deciding between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur's bid to take over the stadium after the 2012 Games, but also has a contract with Newham Council which is a partner of the Hammers' bid.

The OPLC claimed the contract had not been disclosed to them.

A statement said: "It has come to the OPLC's attention that board member Tessa Sanderson has a personal consultancy contract with Newham Council.

"This had not been disclosed to the company.

"As a result, Tessa Sanderson has been excluded from all matters relating to the stadium process.

"Newham Council is in one of the two shortlisted consortiums bidding to lease the Olympic Stadium and therefore this represents a conflict of interest.

"Board members are obliged to give declarations of interests, including pecuniary interests, in any matter where there is a potential conflict of interest."

Sanderson, who won her Olympic title at Los Angeles in 1984, launched the Newham Academy in 2006 alongside Newham Council.

It claims to offer comprehensive support to non-elite athletes aged 14 upwards, many of whom are from different backgrounds to the "typical" athlete.

It recruits on a special talent identification process across the disciplines using experienced sports coaches selecting talented youngsters from disabled and non disabled backgrounds.

Another OPLC board member, Newham's Mayor Sir Robin Wales, has already been excluded from the decision due to a conflict of interest.

Sanderson was unavailable for comment when contacted by insidethegames.

Earlier today, Sir Craig Reedie had added his dissenting voice to those opposed to Tottenham Hotspur's proposal to take over the Olympic Stadium because he claimed, in a column written for The Daily Telegraph, that London 2012 should honour its bid pledge to provide an athletics legacy.



"Let there be no doubt - a track in the stadium was promised," wrote Sir Craig, a member of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) ruling Executive Board.

"Those who gave the undertakings, Tessa Jowell in the official presentation, Seb Coe and myself, over many months of lobbying, worked hard to overcome the indecision and confusion of the past."

Sir Craig, who played a leading role in London's successful bid, warned what the consequences would be for Britain hosting major events in the future if it failed to keep its promise.

"The history of Olympic bids is full of unfulfilled promises, an indication of the importance of commitments made," he said.

"In future, if British sport wishes to host major events, it is vital that proper facilities exist and equally that, as bidders, we are liked and above all trusted.

"Members of the International Olympic Committee will watch our decisions with interest.

"After all, they know what we promised."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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