SOCCER:WEST HAM United have been given stark warnings they must keep their promise to athletics by retaining the track in the Olympic Stadium for the long term, as they began examining plans to introduce retractable seating to bring fans closer to the pitch.

After West Ham were named as the preferred bidders for the stadium following an acrimonious battle with Tottenham Hotspur, attention will turn to how they will fill the 60,000-seat stadium on a regular basis and coexist profitably with other sports, concerts and community events.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) board unanimously chose West Ham’s proposal to modify the existing stadium over Spurs’ plans for a new, dedicated football ground and an alternative athletics legacy at Crystal Palace.

“We are confident it’s the very best legacy for the stadium, cracking for the communities of east London, great for the taxpayer and a great outcome for sports,” Margaret Ford, OPLC’s chair, said.

But amid scepticism fuelled by Spurs about whether athletics and football can coexist, British Olympians have served notice on West Ham to keep their promises.

“A good day for football but not a great one for athletics because football was never on the agenda in the original bid,” said Denise Lewis, who won heptathlon gold at Sydney in 2000. “Let’s see if there is an athletics track present five years from now. This is not just about a promise being kept today it’s about a promise and legacy in 10, 20 and 30 years’ time.”

The 250-year lease will be jointly owned by West Ham and Newham council. They said they would grant a 250-year sublease to UK Athletics, meaning the track could never be ripped out.