IOC president Jacques Rogge today said he favours London's Olympic Stadium retaining a running track after the 2012 Games, but he will not intervene on the issue.
Tottenham's bid to take over the stadium would see the running track removed but West Ham's rival bid would keep the athletics track in place.
The Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) is due to make a decision between the two bids before March.
Rogge told a news conference at IOC headquarters in Lausanne: 'We would favour a solution with a track legacy - that goes without saying. But the decision is in the hands of the OPLC along with UK Athletics and LOCOG.
'If a solution could be found for the track we would be happy, but don't expect the IOC to intervene in an issue where we are not responsible.'
Tottenham say they would maintain an athletic legacy by rebuilding the Crystal Palace venue.
