Photo by Tom Last

West Ham football club has reportedly won the backing of Olympic officials in the battle for the Olympic stadium after London 2012.

Reports said the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) has backed West Ham in their bid to take over the Olympic stadium. A final announcement is expected to be made on Friday, after a meeting with London Mayor Boris Johnson and the OPLC.

It is thought the government will support the recommendations of the OPLC. A presentation will be given at the meeting explaining both West Ham and Tottenham’s further plans for the stadium.

If West Ham wins the bid for the stadium they plan to keep the athletics track and maintain the stadium as a major athletes’ venue.

Tottenham Hotspurs plan to demolish the stadium on its current site in Stratford and build a new, more football-focused stadium. They plan to maintain the legacy of athletics by refurbishing the athletics grounds at Crystal Palace in Croydon.

The President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge has shown his support for the West Ham United bid.

The Tottenham bid has recently faced criticism for its plans to demolish the Olympic stadium, which is costing the taxpayer around £500m.