Could Chicago recycle London 2012 stadium?

'WE'RE TALKING' | May be possible to reuse parts

An Olympic-sized recycling project?

Officials handling Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Games are exploring whether parts of the collapsible stadium being built for London's 2012 Games could be reused here.

"We're talking to London," said Patrick Sandusky, a Chicago 2016 spokesman. "What's important to note is they have a similar concept in terms of re-purposing the stadium, so we're talking to them about how to best use a stadium and how to leave the best legacy."

Chicago's Olympic plans call for Washington Park on the South Side to be the site of an 80,000-seat temporary stadium that would be converted into a permanent 5,000-seat venue after the Games are done.

London's stadium, which recently got under construction, also is to have 80,000 seats. But, unlike Chicago's proposed facility, 25,000 of those seats are to remain permanent.

Even if recycling London's stadium isn't feasible, Sandusky said the talks are worth it.

"The bigger discussion point is, 'You proposed a similar type stadium [as Chicago's]. How do you best plan for delivering a stadium like this?'" he said. "They've given us a lot of advice in that regard."

Next month, the International Olympic Committee is to narrow seven candidate cities for the 2016 Games to four or five finalists, and Chicago is almost certain to make the cut. The IOC is scheduled to make its final choice in October 2009.