New 2012 images released

The UK's Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has released new images showing the progress on the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, UK, including the 80000 capacity Olympic Stadium.

Commenting on the images, ODA Chief Executive David Higgins, said, "These latest photos show progress on the Olympic Park is transforming the landscape and skyline of East London at a steady rate. Construction on all venues on the Park is going very well and it is clear how much visible progress we are making on the Park.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

In May this year, construction started on the Stadium site three months earlier than originally planned.

Olympic Stadium facts, figures and design features:

• The 80000-seat stadium in Stratford, east London, will be scaled down to a 25000-capacity venue after the Games and then be used for major athletics events.
• Over 1000 construction workers will be based on the Stadium site
• 33 buildings on the Olympic Stadium site have been demolished
• Over 800000 tonnes of soil has been taken away to help create the construction platform for the Stadium
• The Stadium is highly sustainable, containing around 10000 tonnes of steel - the lightest Olympic Stadium to date
• The total Stadium island site covers an area of 16.19 ha
• The Stadium is 53m high
• The Stadium roof covers an area of 24500 m2 - the equivalent to three and a half football pitches.
• Bowl - a sunken bowl built into the ground for the field of play and lower permanent seating, designed to bring spectators close to the action;
• Roof - a cable supported roof will stretch 28 m the whole way around the Stadium, providing cover for two thirds of spectators;
• Wrap - a fabric curtain will wrap around the stadium structure, acting as additional protection and shelter for spectators; and
• Pods - facilities such as catering and merchandising will be grouped into self-contained ‘pod' structures at the access level of the Stadium.