23 March 2010

UKA, the national governing body for athletics, today welcomed the start of the process that will decide the future of the Olympic Stadium.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) has begun a global search for the organisations that are interested in managing, operating in, or locating to the Stadium after the London 2012 Games with the publication of an ‘expressions of interest’ document.

Organisations or consortia will have eight weeks to come forward with their interest and initial views. This could include sporting, community, education, visitor attraction and commercial uses.

Deciding the future of the iconic centrepiece is one of the Company’s top priorities and OPLC’s aim is to reach a settled position by the end of March 2011.

UKA Chairman Ed Warner, who has worked closely with the OPLC said: "UKA is delighted that this process is underway and that the bid promise of an athletics legacy is central to it. We look forward to working closely with all significant parties to ensure that athletics will be at the heart of a vibrant stadium in legacy mode.

“As the national governing body for the sport, internationally recognised by the IAAF and European Athletics, UKA will work with the OPLC and any other future operator to ensure international world class athletics  events are staged alongside those already scheduled for the stadium  such as the Aviva London Grand Prix – part of the prestigious Diamond League – right through to domestic championships for athletes of all ages.