LONDON (AP) — The British government and the Mayor of London have formally approved West Ham’s bid to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.
The Premier League club was selected last month as the preferred tenant for the $867 million venue, beating a rival bid from Tottenham.
The decision needed to be ratified by the government and Mayor Boris Johnson’s office, and the Department for Communities and Local Government granted that approval on Thursday.
West Ham plans to downsize the stadium after the Olympics from 80,000 to 60,000 seats and use it as a multipurpose venue. It will fulfill Britain’s promise to retain a running track at the showpiece venue.
The Hammers hope to move into the Olympic Stadium in August 2014.
