Exclusive – Gold: ‘West Ham’s bid for Olympic Stadium is the best’

David Gold has told talkSPORT he is confident West Ham will win their bid to move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012.

The deadline for organisations hoping to take over the venue after the Olympics has now passed, with the Premier League club the only bidder to so far to confirm its plans for the stadium.

West Ham’s plans include reducing the capacity from 80,000 to 60,000, keeping the athletics track and including a range of facilities for the local community. And Hammers co-owner Gold is adamant his club’s proposal is the best.

He told Drive Time: “We’re very excited about our prospects. We think it’s the best bid that is going to be presented because of a number of reasons.

“We believe the alternatives are horrendous. To think you take this iconic 80,000 stadium and reduce it to 25,000 and use it a few times a year for athletics - that option is not an option.

“Our bid involves athletics, a Premier League football club and it can involve and embrace cricket clubs. We’re even bringing West Ham boxing club to this sporting arena.”