Olympic rower Mark Hunter is “super excited” about West Ham football club’s move to Olympic Stadium

Olympic rower Mark Hunter, who is a big Hammers fan, has said he is “super excited” about West Ham football club moving to Stratford.

British Olympic rower Mark Hunter at the West Ham Stadium. - Credit: Archant

The Forest Gate born rower, who took Silver at last year’s London Olympics, spoke to us outside the current ground in Upton Park last Friday shortly after the club’s move to the Olympic Stadium was announced.

Mr Hunter said: “I’m super excited about it. There is obviously going to be mixed emotions among fans and the community, you get that with every big change.

“It’s typical of us British to be negative, it’s in our culture. It was the same when we were awarded the London Olympics with people saying it was never going to work. But look what happened and how proud people were of the Games in the end.

“There are a lot of memories with the current stadium but it is outdated and would have to be refurbished anyway to make it bigger.”

Mr Hunter who now lives in Stoke Newington said he had been a fan since his childhood and goes to the occasional game, but insisted a season ticket was difficult even for him to afford.

After winning Olympic Gold in Beijing Mr Hunter was devastated last summer when he and Zac Purchase lost their lightweight double sculls Olympic title on home ground to Denmark.