Bubka, a senior vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), insisted last week London should honour its promise to deliver an athletics legacy from the 2012 Games by retaining the track, given that one of the bidders, Tottenham Hotspur, does not plan to include it.

Robertson said that Bubka's comments during the IAAF Council meeting in Monte Carlo may have been partly to do with the fact he has ambitions to contest the IAAF presidency, with Britain's Sebastian Coe expected to be a main rival.

Bubka, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed his displeasure at Robertson's comments.

"I am extremely disappointed to read that my concerns about the London 2012 stadium are being linked to political aspirations," said the former world and Olympic pole vault champion.

"I spend much of my life travelling the world promoting athletics and seeing the impact it can have on communities, particularly young people.

"That was the vision that captured the imagination of the IOC in 2005, because it resonated so much with the importance of legacy.

"I was recently in London on behalf of the IAAF and I find it to be a wonderful city - and the sporting heritage of Great Britain is one of the greatest in world sport.

"However it is vital that London keeps the promise it made in Singapore in 2005 to retain a running track to give future generations the opportunity to compete in a stadium where history will be made in less than two years' time."

Robertson, who insisted the Government was in no legal position to offer any guarantees on a track while the bidding process was in train, had said he was not surprised Bubka was upset about the issue, adding: "I mean, he's unlikely to stand up and say 'I'm a Spurs fan'.

"But he's also in the midst of running for an election himself.

"Sergey is in an interesting position, I think, over this, in terms of how he is positioning himself for the future.

"And then of course there are other vice-presidents in the mix closer to home, and maybe some internal IAAF politics going on."

Bubka's visit to London was to assess the city's bid for the 2015 World Athletics Championships, which was recently withdrawn, just as it was ahead of the 2005 Championships which were scheduled to be held at Picketts Lock, not far from the current Olympic Park.

Bubka added: "I have nothing but respect and admiration for my friend Sebastian Coe and congratulate him on the superb job he has done promoting athletics in Great Britain and around the world.

"He has overcome many challenges with London 2012 and I know he shares my passion to create a legacy for athletics.

"He pledged that an athletics track would remain at the Olympic Stadium after the Games and I have no doubt that he agrees with me in wanting to leave a landmark venue for future generations where they can dream about competing in athletics at the top level."

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