West Ham set for Olympic Stadium

West Ham appear to have moved a step closer to victory in their bid to take over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.

It is has been reported that officers from the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) are set to recommend West Ham's bid over Tottenham's to board members when they meet on Friday.

The recommendation does not, however, automatically mean that West Ham will win the backing of the board members. The board's decision also has to be ratified by two Government departments and the London Mayor's office.

Sources at both clubs say they have had no contact from the OPLC about a possible recommendation, while an OPLC spokesman said: "It is pure speculation to say that a decision has been made. Our board meets on Friday. There will be presentations by OPLC officers of both bids and a vote to recommend a preferred bidder."

West Ham would retain the running track while Tottenham's plans would be to create a football stadium and redevelop the old Crystal Palace athletics stadium to create a legacy for that sport.

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe is among those calling for the track to be maintained in line with promises made to the International Olympic Committee back in 2005.

Tim Leiweke, the president of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), who are partnering Tottenham, claimed the Olympic Stadium would "go broke in ten years" if an athletics track is retained.