Last month, the OPLC Board selected West Ham United and Newham Council as their preferred bidder for the Olympic Stadium ahead of an offer from Tottenham Hotspur and AEG but Sanderson was excluded from the vote, despite her protests, due to a perceived conflict of interest because she had a personal consultancy contract with Newham Council.

The Los Angeles 1984 javelin Olympic gold medallist has now resigned from the OPLC Board and claimed that not being able to exercise her vote on the future Olympic Stadium tenant significantly contributed to her decision.

"One will say: 'Did the exclusion of your voting on the West Ham and Newham Council Olympic Stadium issue play a part in your decision to resign from the OPLC?'" the 54-year-old told insidethegames.

"Well yes it did because I really wanted to be part of that vote.

"I was involved for a long time on the issue but then in the latter part of the process, I wasn't involved when that was the job that I really wanted to seal.

"It is a shame because I got on very well with my colleagues at the OPLC.

"It could sometimes be difficult as the simple often became not so simple.

"But I got on very well with them and I respect them enormously because I do think everyone at the OPLC is doing a grand job, I really do.

"They are there to look after the Olympic Park and make sure that is has a secure future and I wish them every success.

"But it was time for me to move on.

"It was not an easy decision to make but it is just one of those things.

"I now have other exciting projects that will take up my time, particularly my work with The Tessa Sanderson Foundation and Academy."

The move to resign from the OPLC Board came just days after Sanderson quit her role as director of the Newham Sports Academy, which she founded four years ago in London's Olympic heartland and which has helped develop some 70 potential Olympians and Paralympians for 2012.

Her departure is believed to have been over differences with funding body Newham Council, and while Sanderson refused to confirm the rumours, she will continue to help the youngsters in the area through her foundation.

"I was very sad to leave the Newham Sports Academy but things like that sometimes happen and I will now channel my energies into developing my sports foundation and therefore continue to be involved in the legacy of the London 2012 Games," she said.

"My work in Newham and the East End of London is not finished and my team and I shall carry on giving one hundred per cent to help and inspire youngsters to achieve through sport.

"We will finish the job we came to Newham to do."

The Tessa Sanderson Foundation and Academy is a charitable organisation founded by Sanderson and aims to create a unique youth sport programme in the London area for disabled and non-disabled youngsters to enjoy all sports and the opportunity to participate at a higher level without jeopardising quality learning and education.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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