07 November 2008

Ed Warner, Chairman of UK Athletics, who is currently at the IAAF headquarters in Monaco where he has been discussing a number of issues with IAAF President Lamine Diack, today gave his support to his comments regarding the London 2012 legacy.

Warner said: “We welcome the comments today made by IAAF president Lamine Diack. UK Athletics remains fully committed to helping ensure there is an athletics legacy from the London 2012 Olympic stadium. That has been the pledge right from the start of bidding process and we are in close communication with London 2012 to ensure that holds true, up to and beyond the London Games.

“We have always advocated a multi use approach to the stadium in legacy mode, intending to be part of a management structure that ensures access for a standard amount of days annually for elite and community use. That is the right financial model for our sport. All the paperwork and plans are in place for there to be a 25-28,000 seater stadium that will have the capacity to go up to 40,000 to stage an event of that scale. Currently there is no permanent athletics stadium in the UK that can currently house a World or European Championship.

“We need a permanent home to ensure that we can build upon the huge enthusiasm and excitement that 2012 will inevitably generate for athletics. We will continue to work in partnership with Seb Coe towards fulfilling his promise that the number one Olympic sport will have a home to be proud of in Britain.”

Please follow this link to view Lamine Diack’s statement in full