British Olympics legend Daley Thompson has backed West Ham United's move to Stratford.

Critics have questioned the deal, with the taxpayer picking up the tab for the conversion costs, and the presence of a football club at the Stadium.

But Olympic legend Thompson, who won decathlon gold at the 1980 and 1984 Games and was involved in the lighting of the flame at London 2012, told The Sun: "West Ham have got an unbelievable deal out of it but the Olympic Stadium needs an anchor tenant. No disrespect to Barry Hearn but I don't think Leyton Orient are it.

"I don't have as strong a view as some people about whether there should be a track in there. I just think we have this awesome stadium and it should be used more than once or twice a year. I don't care who uses the stadium as long as it is used.

"I've been back to the Olympic Stadium in Sydney since their Games. It was quiet, very quiet."