• Premiership club have ‘no interest’ in Olympic stadium
• Sight lines and athletics track unsuitable for rugby

One of the sports organisations which the Olympic Park Legacy Company was pinning its hopes on occupying the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 London Games has ruled itself out of the running.

Saracens rugby union club had lodged an “expression of interest” in occupying the Stratford site after the Games and the OPLC was this week expecting that to develop into a formal tender within the eight-week period in which it has invited proposals. However Ed Griffiths, the Saracens chief executive, has ruled that out. “There is definitely no interest in the Olympic Stadium,” he said. “No discussions, no interest.”

Saracens, who currently play at Watford’s Vicarage Road ground, are understood to feel that the stadium’s sight lines and the athletics track make it an unsuitable venue for rugby union.

This will constitute a blow for the OPLC, which hopes to accommodate an athletics track within the facility, and a Premiership side was considered appropriate since its capacity requirements would fit the 25,000-seat post-Games design.

The Olympic Delivery Authority chairman, John Armitt, last year stated that West Ham United’s requirements were not compatible with plans for the stadium after the Games. However, the OPLC’s options are narrowing with the news of Saracens’ about-turn.

West Ham UnitedOlympic games 2012guardian.co.uk