Consultant Arup has denied that it will drop out of the race to become the delivery partner for the Olympic Delivery Authority.

The consultant, which bid for the ODA programme manager role with Gardiner & Theobald before it was retendered last week, said it was still interested despite market speculation that it would drop out.

Arup said: "We remain keen on the delivery management role, are reviewing the Official Journal of the European Union notice that was published last week and are actively engaged in the prequalification process."

Fellow bidders said Arup might be forced to pull out to concentrate on the contract to design the Olympic Park with Atkins, EDAW, Allies and Morrison and Foreign Office Architects.

One said: "Arup is in a difficult position because it has a major role at the Olympic Park and its first priority is to deliver that." Another said: "There's a bit of a conflict between being in charge of programme management and design. Normally you'd sit in one or the other."

Tony Burton, a partner in G&T, said it was too early to say whether the team would continue, pull out or hook up with another bidder.

He said: "I don't think there's any comment at the moment. We will read the documents and review the situation with our colleagues. At the moment it's too early to say."

The speculation came as the ODA published details of the enlarged programme manager role, now renamed "delivery partner", which will be oversee design, procurement and legacy issues.

Original bidder Amec has announced it will be pitching with Balfour Beatty. Other bidders are:

Jack Lemley, ODA chairman, said the role would be procured using "competitive dialogue" where bidders pool ideas before one is selected.