Olympics-White Elephant fears just 'bizarre', says Coe

By Ossian Shine

SINGAPORE, July 3 (Reuters) - Talk of the London Olympics leaving a 'white elephant' in the capital city is simply "bizarre", according to 2012 Games chief Sebastian Coe.

The double Olympic gold medalist tackled a London Assembly report raising concerns about the legacy of the Games head on, and said any structures which are being built for the Games are ones desperately needed in London.

"I find this a rather bizarre conversation," the 52-year-old former British politician told Reuters when asked about the 'white elephant' fears.

"The construction of our Games was predicated on a very simple concept. If you have an existing facility, particularly an iconic one, use it.

"If you have the need to build new venues then build them in a way that they can be used afterwards. If you can't fit either one of those assignments then you build temporary. So that is what we've done."

A report from London Assembly's Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee noted on Wednesday the failure so far to attract an anchor tenant for the main stadium.

Rugby and soccer clubs have expressed interest, but have been put off by the organisers' commitment to retain an athletics track around the pitch.

"Without a credible anchor tenant to bring regular footfall into the park, there will be serious doubts as to the future financial viability of the venue and hence attractiveness of the park site to business investment," the report said.

"Without decisive action, the stadium is in danger of becoming a white elephant."

BRISTLED

But Coe, in Singapore to present London's progress to the Olympic Council of Asia, bristled at that suggestion.

"When I sit here listening to any of the discussions about legacy I am heartened because actually we got there first and secondly if you are going to leave an 80,000-seater stadium in the centre of East London then you will have some serious legacy issues and that is why we wanted a (much smaller capacity) facility with track and field at the centre.

"Zurich have just rebuilt a stadium -- 25,000 seats -- and over the course of a year you have the Rolling Stones, you have European football matches because surprise, surprise, Europeans don't seem to have this problem with playing inside a running track.

"And let me remind people that the last three editions of the Champions League final have all been played within the confines of a running track and I haven't noticed any lack of enthusiasm or atmosphere.

"Of course we are going to make a 25,000-seater stadium work and if we can't we'd probably be the only city in the world who is not able to do that and I don't think that is really where we want to sit in the league table of ability." (Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)