Olympic Mayor backs
England's World Cup bid
Olympic Mayor Sir Robin Wales
has urged visiting football chiefs to make the 2012 Stadium the
centrepiece of England's 2018 World Cup bid.
His comments come as FIFA inspectors begin a four-day
tour of cities across the UK to inspect football venues.
Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales welcomed the FIFA inspectors' trip
and reiterated his support for England's World Cup hopes. He also
emphasised the importance of Newham Council's joint bid with West
Ham United Football Club to use the Olympic Stadium after the 2012
Games.
Sir Robin said: "Allowing the club to move into this iconic
setting would ensure a fitting legacy for the stadium. It would
boost England's bid to hold the 2018 football World Cup as the
stadium would have to be adapted for football. Having hosted one of
the greatest sporting shows on earth why not help hold the other
too?
"Newham's diversity means that any team travelling here for the
FIFA World Cup will feel welcome.
"We've already got state-of-the-art facilities under construction,
which means our borough is well-placed to host matches at every
stage of the contest.
"Should London's bid be successful, I would like to see a legacy
similar to what Newham is striving to achieve for its future
generations following the 2012 Games.
"That means more young people taking up sport and leaving them
with memories they will cherish forever."
Alongside Sir Robin are a number of other high profile backers,
including former England football captains David Beckham and Rio
Ferdinand, as well as 2008 Formula One Champion Lewis
Hamilton.
Soccer bosses will be visiting facilities in Newcastle,
Manchester, Sunderland as well as London.
The hosts for the 2018 World Cup will be unveiled on 2 December.
England faces strong competition from Russia, which also recently
received a FIFA delegation.