"If we are left a mile up the road Leyton Orient will not survive"
Barry Hearn, Chairman of Leyton Orient, said:
"I was concerned that this was a done deal for West Ham before the bidding began, but the fact that both clubs had to commit to teaming made me believe that we were getting involved in a fair process. However, the LLDC have not stuck by their own rules and have left Orient with no option but to challenge their decision in the Courts.
"We took an interest in the Stadium when we knew they were going to cover the athletics track, and our proposal for tenancy was built on a foundation of a large scale community project. Our plan was, and remains, to be the community offering alongside a wealthy Premier League club. We don't intend to interfere with West Ham's residency at the Stadium, but maintain the position that if they are going to be there, then we need to be there too.
"Our presence, alongside West Ham, would ensure weekly use of the stadium, vibrancy of the Olympic Park, and a lasting legacy for the Olympic Games. And as I have said many times before, if West Ham move to the Stadium and we are left a mile up the road, Leyton Orient will not survive. If we are both in the Olympic Stadium, we are at least being put on a level playing field, and Orient will find its own way for the future. I have big plans for the Club and the community."
Second legal challenge over future of Olympic Stadium
This is the second time that Leyton Orient have been involved in legal proceedings in relation to the Olympic Stadium.
The first challenge in 2011 led to the initial tender process being abandoned and re-started.
Leyton Orient currently plays at Brisbane Road. Credit: ITN
Orient claims that, under the bidding rules, they should have been "teamed" or considered for a joint tenancy with West Ham - but that did not happen.
A spokesman for the club said that they were confident of success in this legal challenge:
"All bidders were required to consent to 'teaming' when submitting their bids, and the LLDC was required to team as many bidders as the event calendars would allow. The purpose of this requirement was to ensure maximum use of the stadium by as many concessionaires as possible.
"Instead, the LLDC's decision has left West Ham United as the only potential tenant, as predicted by Boris Johnson (now Chairman of the LLDC) at the outset of this latest bid process."
League One Leyton Orient wants a ground-share at the £429million venue.
Owner Barry Hearn said:
"The rules of the bidding process created by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) we do not believe provided for teaming, which is for all parties to share the stadium.
"It is our legal opinion that this is a fundamental flaw of the bidding process.
"We have gone to the High Court to have the decision struck out."
Leyton Orient begins legal battle over stadium bid
West Ham was named as the first choice bidder in December 2012. Credit: Anthony Charlton for LOCOG.
Leyton Orient has launched a legal battle against the decision to make West Ham favourites to move into the Olympic Stadium.
The Hammers were named as the "preferential bidders" for the stadium in December, but Orient has asked permission for a judicial review of the process.
