Olympic Stadium poised for Dubai move

A consortium of Middle East-based investors have launched an audacious bid to move London's Olympic Stadium to Dubai after the 2012 Games. The Al-Shera consortium claimed the proposal would offer "an effective solution" to an ongoing debate over what the stadium should be used for in legacy mode.

West Ham United Football Club (WHUFC) has already signalled its plans to move to the East London venue from 2012, although athletics chiefs are adamant the venue should retain its track. However, the Dubai proposals would see the venue dismantled and relocated to the Emirate's Sports City development to offer a multi-purpose, international-standard athletics facility.

Dubai Sports City already incorporates facilities including the David Lloyd Tennis Academy, the ICC Global Cricket Academy and a swimming academy, with the 2012 Olympic Stadium being seen as the "final piece in the Sports City puzzle". Rich Feller, a spokesperson for the Al-Shera consortium, said: "The consortium feels that London's inability to find a lasting use for the stadium is preventing a useful legacy being found for the venue.

"Our plans will ensure that, although the stadium will be moved to Dubai Sports City, it will be well-used as a venue for athletics throughout the year, as well as seasonal use for ice skating and bobsleigh."