Athletics could ensure survival of 2012 venue

CITY Hall chiefs are thinking of making a bid to host the world athletics championships in the 2012 Olympic stadium so that it avoids becoming a white elephant after the Games.

Mayor Boris Johnson is expected to set up an Olympic Park management company as early as next week to consider a number of one-off major sports events to be held at the 80,000-seat venue.

Legacy planners want to maximise revenues from the stadium in the years after the Games and are prepared to put on hold plans to reduce its capacity to 25,000 seats.

The championships are held every two years and the governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, has yet to decide on a host for 2013 and 2015.

Other events being eyed by City Hall include rugby league finals and the National Football League's annual American football fixture currently held at Wembley.

The £60million basketball arena might also survive if a top event can be attracted to the 12,000-seat facility.