West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan says they should be granted permission to take charge of the Olympic stadium.

He is confident West Ham will win the battle for tenancy.

Days after Hammers manager Sam Allardyce warned the stadium would go to rack and ruin if the club doesn't move in, Sullivan told the Mirror: "The Olympic Stadium is already more iconic than the new Wembley. With Wembley you still think of the twin towers - the old Wembley.

"The new Wembley - much better stadium as it is - is not better than the old stadium in terms of status. There were 80 years of memories with the old stadium. That is hard to replace.

"But the whole country has seen the Olympic Stadium and shared in some special moments there.

"Everyone has their own memory. For me, I thought Mo Farah's 5,000m win was sensational. That last lap was ­absolutely incredible. But to win three gold medals in an hour as we did on the first weekend was incredible as well. That's how special the stadium is already to people.

"Imagine how people would be feeling now, after all that, if it had already been predetermined it had to come down. When we play there - if we get lucky enough to be awarded it - I think away teams will relish going there.

"Under the rules I can't discuss our bid. But if we are accepted as the anchor tenant then the legacy will continue.

"I think you might get 10,000 Wigan fans there - simply because they want to come to the Olympic Stadium, or whatever it might be called."