NY Olympic bid strikes Mets deal

The IOC said an OIympic stadium was crucial to New York's bid

Organisers of New York's 2012 Olympic bid insisted their campaign was back on track after striking a new stadium deal with the baseball team New York Mets.

The City's bid was thrown into disarray last week when New York's State Public Authorities Control Board denied public money for a $2bn stadium in Manhattan.

But now the Mets are to allow the Games to be held in their new stadium.

In return, $250m of public money will be spent on turning the stadium into an Olympic venue if the New York bid wins.

The Mets' new stadium in Queens, privately funded by the team, is currently estimated to be costing more than $600m to build and is expected to be completed in 2009.

If the IOC wants a city with heart, a city that can overcome its differences, we are the city for them Michael Bloomberg

New York's Olympic committee had consistently said that its Manhattan stadium plan was the only viable option for the Olympics.

But the city's mayor Michael Bloomberg hoped the new deal in Queens would be just as convincing when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selects a host city in Singapore on 6 July.

Bloomberg's said: "The Mets have agreed to allow NYC2012 to use their new stadium should New York be designated as host city for the 2012 Olympic Games.

"If the IOC wants a city with heart, a city that can overcome its differences, that can pull together during trying times and will do everything possible to host a great Games, we are the city for them."

New York had considered pulling out of the race to win the 2012 Games following the decision to veto public funding.

But bid leaders appear to have taken advantage of an IOC ruling which allows them to submit modified plans in the event of "exceptional circumstances".